Double-Lung Transplant Patient Takes on Climb of His Life

Local lung health hero celebrates miraculous recovery by tackling Carew Tower for American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb

CINCINNATI OH (01/23/2014)(readMedia)-- NOTE: Stephen Mitchell is available for media interviews, photos or video. Please contact climb organizer Liza Aromas-Janosik to make arrangements.

Climbing 45 flights-a total of 804 steps-is the last place you would expect to find someone who had a double lung transplant just 16 months ago. Yet that's exactly where Stephen Mitchell will be on Februrary 16th when he takes part in the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb at Carew Tower.

Mitchell, a 59 year-old Milford area resident who worked as a production coordinator for a printer, was diagnosed nearly two years ago with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). An avid runner since his late 20's, Mitchell had completed many races, yet he suddenly found himself feeling like his breathing "just wasn't right."

After a series of initial tests, his primary care doctor did a CT scan that showed scarring of his lungs. "They told me my lungs looked like a honey comb," says Mitchell.

The hallmark of IPF is scarring, or fibrosis, of the lungs, which makes it hard for them to move oxygen into their bloodstream. Doctors are often unable to pinpoint the cause of IPF, but some research points to a genetic link.

"My father died of lung disease in 1981 when he was only 52," says Mitchell, who is the father of two adult children and has been married to his wife, Tonia, 35 years. "It's possible he also had IPF, but we can't know for sure."

IPF is a serious disease that has no cure. It usually affects middle-aged and older adults. Its severity and course varies.

Some people can live with IPF for years. Others lose ground quickly. That's how it happened for Mitchell.

In June, 2012 Mitchell was sent to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for more tests. After evaluation, he was put on the lung transplant list. He returned home where he was soon on oxygen full-time. By July, he had what he calls a "total crash" and spent 10 days in the hospital.

"It was a scary time" he says. "Within a month, I went from being just a little sick to nearly dead. I didn't know if there was any hope."

Mitchell returned via ambulance to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital where he was listed as #1 on the national lung transplant list. Within just 18 hours, he had received the lungs donated by a 23 year-old female from South Carolina.

Since he awoke 16 months ago and was taken off oxygen, he has continued to make remarkable progress. He goes to a heart-lung rehab program at Mercy Anderson Hospital three times a week. He also takes part in a Better Breathers support group there, which is an American Lung Association program.

"It really is nothing short of a miracle. I am truly so fortunate," says Mitchell, who wants to do the Fight for Air Climb to raise awareness and support lung health research and programs.

The American Lung Association's 2014 Fight For Air Climb takes place on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Carew Tower. Event details are as follow:

•Participants will climb the 45 flights to reach the top of the Carew Tower.

•Novice and expert athletes are welcome to climb. You can climb at your own pace or compete competitively.

•Participants climb to raise awareness and money to support local education programs, research and advocacy. The registration fee is $35 per person. Each climber is required to raise a minimum of $100 in donations.

•Current and volunteer firefighters are encouraged to join the Firefighter Challenge.

•The first climber begins at 7:00 a.m.

Climb organizer Liza Aromas-Janosik says she hopes Mitchell's example will encourage people all across the area to climb. "We all breathe, so we all have a stake in the fight for air," she says.

Mitchell echoes this idea. "When my daughter first sent me the brochure it was kind of a joke," says the former runner. "Then I thought, 'Wow, I'd like to do this!' What a great way to share my story and let people know we should never take breathing for granted."

For more climb registration details and information, go to ClimbtheCarew.org or call (513) 985-3990. General donations or donations to support specific climbers or teams can also be made at this website.

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