Double Lung Transplant Survivor to Climb National City Tower

Related Media

Steve Lindsey, Sally Gettelfinger, Dr. Victor van Berkel & Cathy Zion

LOUISVILLE, KY (02/02/2016)(readMedia)-- Last year, Steven Lindsey struggled to reach the second floor of his Elizabethtown, KY home. This weekend, he'll join 300 others as they race to the top of the National City Tower in the American Lung Association's Fight for Air climb.

In 2013, Steve saw his doctor about a cough that wouldn't go away. After a long series of tests, scans, and referrals, he was officially diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and degenerative disease that causes irreparable damage to the lungs. The doctor immediately ordered supplemental oxygen tanks, and recommended an invasive surgery to replace both of his lungs.

"I had always been relatively healthy," Steve remembered, "so the idea of some life threatening, debilitating issue seemed totally alien to me." He and his wife, Lisa, enjoyed an active lifestyle of camping, hiking, swimming, and cycling. In fact, in the past 30 years working for the University of Louisville, he had taken fewer than 10 sick days. "I thought I would live forever."

But Steve was hesitant about the surgery. He knew the process of getting on the waiting list for organ donations was lengthy and involved. "I thought, if I am only going to live for five more years, what is the point in going through it?"

As his condition worsened though, he became desperate. "A few times I underestimated the amount of oxygen I would need, and ran out. It was terrifying. I couldn't breathe." Steve continued ordering more than 25 oxygen tanks to be delivered to his home each week, carrying them with him every day. "It was frustrating, to say the least."

Then, in 2015, Steve got a call, and everything changed. "I was at work and I had to leave immediately. My co-workers gathered along my path, telling me everything would work out." He rushed to the surgical center at 4pm on Thursday, and on Saturday he awoke to Lisa's voice telling him everything was fine. That afternoon, he removed his breathing tubes and the doctor said some of the most welcome words Steve had ever heard, "I don't think you need that anymore."

After only 12 days, Steve was released from the hospital. His first stop was to his office to thank his coworkers for their support. Then he headed to his mother's house. "As I walked in, I told her I learned a new trick. Then I bounded up the stairs to her. That was the first time I had been able to do that in years. She was so happy."

Since that day, Steve has been dedicated to his recovery. He started walking around his neighborhood, slowly going further and further until his walks averaged more than 6 miles each day. He signed up for charity walks, and then charity runs. In October, he completed his first half marathon.

And this weekend, Steve will face another challenge. The American Lung Association will host the 3rd annual Fight for Air climb on Saturday, February 6th at the National City Tower in Louisville. Steve will climb 780 steps to help raise money and awareness for lung disease.

"Steve has been an inspiration to everyone" says Deena Adams, Director of Development at the American Lung Association in Kentucky. "He has rallied his colleagues to join his team, the Cardinal Climbers in the Louisville Fight for Air Climb. By participating in the Climb, Steve highlights the importance of supporting research to find treatment and cures for lung disease. What better example for us - a double-lung transplant recipient who uses his experience to tackle 38 flights to advocate for lung health!"

If you ask Steve Lindsey, it's the least he can do. "Somebody that I didn't know, that didn't know me, gave me a gift that saved my life," he said. "If there's anything I can do to help someone else going through that, I'll do it."

To learn more about the Fight for Air climb, visit www.ClimbLouisville.org or call Deena Adams at (502) 363-2652. Walk-on registration will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. the day of the climb. Walk on registration requires a $35 registration fee and a mandatory $100 fundraising minimum.