This is the story of John McNamara, who underwent a double lung transplant 14 years ago, and has since made remarkable strides forward, not only surviving but thriving in his post-transplant years. John was an athlete his whole life, so he was shocked upon learning of a diagnosis of widespread lung disease at age 50. Practitioners told him that he had only months to live and that a lung transplant was his only option. He was put on a wait list, and eventually received the call that changed his entire life. Now 14 years later, John is an active volunteer for the transplant program at UC San Diego, and visits other transplant patients for support, encouragement, and help with everyday activities. Nine years ago, John joined with four others to create the Lung and Heart Transplant Foundation, a charitable non-profit, to provide financial assistance to transplant patients and their families in need. Join us for this story about an individual continuing to move forward, over some very big obstacles or as John entitles it, “What a long, strange trip it’s been”.

Mini Bio

John was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2003.  He received his double lung transplant at the University of California, San Diego (“UCSD”) Medical Center in 2006, and is active with the UCSD Lung Transplant Support Group. John graduated from Fordham University in New York in 1979.  He has served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.  He worked most of his business career in the medical industry, in particular in the fields of diagnostic testing, drug monitoring, interventional cardiology, radiology and cardiovascular surgery devices.  He has leadership, management, operations and finance experience with startup businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies.  Prior to his illness and surgery, John enjoyed open water swimming, scuba diving, skiing and riding his motorcycle.

Items Mentioned for Our Listeners

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Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation, co-founded by our Podcast guest, John McNamara