After receiving my double Lung Transplant, 10 years ago, I wanted to do something to pay it back. There were a few important factors on why I’m still alive. 1. is my organ donor, 2. is the love & support I received from so many people all over the world, 3. last is exercise.
When I was born & diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, my parents were told I would only live to be 13 years old. Luckily my mum and dad had other plans. They involved me in sports boxing, martial arts, soccer, tennis at an early age. When I turned 20 my lung function dropped below 25%. The doctors said I only had two years to live if I didn’t get a Lung Transplant. I lived for 14 more years with a below 25% lung function. Why? Exercise. I started training in boxing & working out. Sometimes, oxygen tank in hand, I’d go. My lung function then dropped to 9%. I had to relocate to Palo Alto from LA to get transplanted at Stanford. This would cost me tens of thousands of dollars a month to pay for all of the expenses. Family friends and loved ones from all over the world had fundraisers in my name. On October 17, 2015 the day of my transplant, I made a promise to God & my Donor that if I survived the Transplant, I’d dedicate my life to helping others.
One year after my Lung Transplant I started training in Muay Thai. My friend Dan trained me at no cost. That year my health excelled. Things started going great, but what goes up, sometimes comes down. I ended up going into kidney failure due to diabetes & all of the very powerful immune suppressants. Luckily, my brother Dominic donated his kidney to me. He saved my life. Due to the miracle of the gift of life that I received twice.
I decided I want to start a nonprofit called the Breathe Like A Boss Foundation. 8 years ago, we became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since then, we have offered recreational and exercise grants to organ transplant recipients as well as people diagnosed with genetic respiratory conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.
When I was born & diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, my parents were told I would only live to be 13 years old. Luckily my mum and dad had other plans. They involved me in sports boxing, martial arts, soccer, tennis at an early age. When I turned 20 my lung function dropped below 25%. The doctors said I only had two years to live if I didn’t get a Lung Transplant. I lived for 14 more years with a below 25% lung function. Why? Exercise. I started training in boxing & working out. Sometimes, oxygen tank in hand, I’d go. My lung function then dropped to 9%. I had to relocate to Palo Alto from LA to get transplanted at Stanford. This would cost me tens of thousands of dollars a month to pay for all of the expenses. Family friends and loved ones from all over the world had fundraisers in my name. On October 17, 2015 the day of my transplant, I made a promise to God & my Donor that if I survived the Transplant, I’d dedicate my life to helping others.
One year after my Lung Transplant I started training in Muay Thai. My friend Dan trained me at no cost. That year my health excelled. Things started going great, but what goes up, sometimes comes down. I ended up going into kidney failure due to diabetes & all of the very powerful immune suppressants. Luckily, my brother Dominic donated his kidney to me. He saved my life. Due to the miracle of the gift of life that I received twice.
I decided I want to start a nonprofit called the Breathe Like A Boss Foundation. 8 years ago, we became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since then, we have offered recreational and exercise grants to organ transplant recipients as well as people diagnosed with genetic respiratory conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.