Lung Transplant Foundation

The Lung Transplant Foundation (LTF) is a not-for-profit corporation established to assist transplant patients and caregivers, promote and educate the community on the importance and benefits of organ donation, to fund lung transplant research outreach programs, and to provide financial support for auxiliary programs and related organizations.
Dedicated to solving the challenges associated with human lung transplantation, the organization supports transplant patients, family members, health care providers and all those affected by lung transplantation. They also aim to support innovative research studies for the benefit of lung transplant recipients to achieve the goal of making lung transplantation a highly successful treatment option for patients with the many diverse lung diseases, so as to enable these patients to enjoy a long, healthy, and high quality of life through lung transplantation.
Mission
The vision of the Lung Transplant Foundation is to complete its mission through the following key areas:
Research
Accelerate research on lung transplant outcomes by providing financial support targeted specifically for lung transplant researchers through a national program. Parlay findings into information and programs for people who are affected by lung transplant, their families, physicians, and other health professionals.
Fundraising
Identify and attract individuals, corporations, organizations, and granting agencies that are interested in supporting lung transplant research.
Support
Work together with partners in support of the Lung Transplant Foundation to provide lung transplant recipients, caregivers, families, and friends’ continuous support, access to information, and other vital tools needed to navigate through the lung transplantation process.
Advocacy
Partner with donor service organizations to help make lung transplant research a national priority through advocacy programs in both the public and private sector. Advocate for expanded awareness and increased federal funding for lung transplant research.
Awareness
Increase public awareness and distribute comprehensive information about lung transplantation and the need for research to patients, disease-specific organizations, the medical community, the general public, and the media.
Fund-raising
The LTF is a 3 nonprofit charity dedicated to providing patient support, research, advocacy, and education specifically related to lung transplantation.
Research
A significant purpose of the LTF’s fundraising activities is to fund research into a variety of issues affecting lung transplant patients:
Chronic Rejection
Further reading: Transplant rejection rejection of the lungs
In lung transplantation, chronic rejection is THE leading cause of long-term morbidity of patients. Due to many factors (such as acid reflux, genetics, or antibodies), chronic rejection is the primary enemy of transplanted lungs. Research into chronic rejection aims to find ways to improve the long-term survivability of lung transplant, at least bringing it on par with other solid-organ transplants.
Medications
Many different immune-suppression and post-transplant drugs are available for organ transplant patients (including lung transplant recipients). As well as seeking to develop new drugs, medication research aims to find new or alternate uses for drugs such as Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus, Cellcept, Azathioprine, Sirolimus, and Prednisone.
Genetics
Although genetics is yet to be used extensively in lung transplant research,
It could be used to achieve a better understanding of genetic risk factors for transplant rejection or could allow medications to be adjusted based on a patient's risk for rejection. Testing could also be done prior to transplantation, allowing individually tailored immunosuppression protocols based on a patient's risk. In addition, genetic research could allow for early and rapid identification of rejection in lung transplant recipients, perhaps even making the routine bronchoscopies and biopsies unnecessary.
Events
The LTF holds two primary annual fundraisers each year:
Lungapalooza
Lungapalooza is an annual walk/concert festival put on by the LTF. Begun in 2010, it is held every September. The event includes two walks of varying lengths and difficulty (for walkers of different physical abilities), as well as food, beverages, live music, face painting, silent auctions, raffles, and speakers.
To date, festivals have just been held in Durham, North Carolina, but the LTF hopes to eventually branch out and offer Lungapalooza festivals at other locations around the country.
Golf Tournament
The LTF also holds an annual Golf Tournament fundraiser. Using a scramble format, teams of four players compete for prizes and awards. Other events are also offered during the tournament, such as putting contests and longest/straightest drive competitions. The event also consists of an awards banquet at the end of the day, complete with live and silent auctions.
Advocacy
Due to the current and relative obscurity of lung transplantation and lung transplant research, one of the LTF’s most important activities is spreading the word about lung transplantation to both other individuals, as well as government entities.

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