The Butterfly: Life has wings...or rather life should have wings. When Cystic Fibrosis damages the lungs with scarring from past infections, and antibiotics no longer give the relief they once did, and the quality of life is stalled, or the length of life is shortened when you are told, "you have a couple of years left", you want those wings back to fly. Lung Transplantation is the option to get those wings once again and live your life dreams.

For those who are fortunate enough to witness the actual lung transplantation surgery, they will describe it as a moving experience that is emotional and awe inspiring. When the old lungs are removed, appearing much like raw liver, and the new lungs are taken from the cooler they have been transported in, the light pink, white new lungs are in such contrast to the old. But the more breath taking experience is to see the new lungs take life when they are connected. It is described as "like beautiful butterfly wings, opening for the very first time, they expand and you can see the beauty in life and in good lungs". Like butterfly wings opening for the first time, so is the size and shape of the new lungs...a comparison that has great meaning to those with Cystic Fibrosis who get the gift of new lungs and a change to live their dreams.

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Interested in submitting your personal transplant journey for consideration in our next newsletter? Contact us for details.

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If you have Cystic Fibrosis and are interested in or have been approved for transplant, we hope the following pages will provide you with information and resources to learn more about the transplant journey and how you can survive transplant both emotionally and financially.

• 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. (Information added 6/26/06)




• LFL MESSAGE BOARDS  (Information added 11/15/06)





• Financial Resources  (Information added 1/5/07)





• Fundraising Resources  (Information added 1/5/07)





• Patient Education & Support  (Information added 1/5/07)