Our patient stories profile those who have had lung transplants at UPMC. Although everyone’s care experience is unique, we hope that sharing these stories will help prospective patients and their families better understand these procedures and their potential impact on patients’ lives.
Here's how that care has had a positive impact in the lives of some of our patients.
Note: These patients' treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Tammy was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fearful and hesitant at first, Tammy knew that a lung transplant would be her only option. Today, she is thankful for her new lungs and thinks often of her donor a 30-year-old Purple Heart recipient and father of two.
In 1988, Paul McGuinness became the second person at UPMC to receive a double lung transplant. More than 30 years later, he's enjoying life and giving hope to other lung transplant recipients.
Richard was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious disease that causes scarring or stiffening of the lungs and makes daily activities like walking, speaking, and eating difficult. Richard came to UPMC in 2009 and underwent a transplant evaluation.
In December of 2011, Steve Constable began to feel tired and short of breath. Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), he thought he had less than three years to live. Since his lung transplant, Steve is doing well and enjoying time with his family.
As a baby, Lauren Costa was diagnosed with a life-threatening lung disease. When she learned that a lung transplant could save her life, she began searching for the best place to handle her case. Her search led her to the UPMC Lung Transplant Program.
In spring of 2010, Gary Cunningham was cutting the grass for the first time of the season when he began experiencing shortness of breath and became fatigued. Gary is the first patient at UPMC to receive a "breathing lung" transplant through the Transmedics ® Organ Care System TM (OCS) Lung Machine.
During a 32-year career in the coal mines of West Virginia, Clarence developed black lung disease, and his quality of life was severely diminished. He thought he was out of options, until he found the lung transplant team at UPMC. Now, Clarence works to inspire others who are suffering to seek a transplant.
In 2003, Bob was using supplemental oxygen to support his lungs. Today, with a new set of lungs, he is breathing just fine on his own.
In June 2008, Jason was told he had only two years to live.
On December 10, 2008, Nancy received her double lung transplant at UPMC Presbyterian. Just two years later, she hiked in the mountains at Yellowstone National Park.
Living with cystic fibrosis left Rebecca Poole with a rollercoaster of challenges to overcome. After experiencing a dramatic decline in her health, Rebecca and her husband, Ray, made the journey to UPMC to receive a lung transplant that would save her life.
Ronald spent years trying to find a diagnosis and solution for his breathing problems. Finally, eight years after his symptoms began, UPMC gave him good news: a lung transplant that could give him back the healthy life he was missing.
At age 46, Jay, a cystic fibrosis patient, underwent lung transplant surgery in Seattle in 2008. In October of 2011, doctors in Seattle told Jay that he was in chronic rejection. After an evaluation at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Jay was placed on the lung transplant waiting list. In February of 2015, Jay underwent a second lung transplant and was cleared to return home in May.
On May 1, 1991, John had his first lung transplant at UPMC Presbyterian. He was 44 years old, and received a single right lung.
When Dennis learned he needed a lung transplant, he visited many hospitals. But they turned him away because he had scleroderma, an autoimmune condition. Then, he found UPMC, and got the transplant that led him back to an active lifestyle.
