David Wick, Jr.
Welcome to GOTMASK.org, the Lung Transplant Support Organization website. The LTSO was founded in 2007 by a group of lung transplant patients and their caregivers. Most of these patients had received their transplants at the St. Joseph’s Heart and Lung Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. The institute is now known as the St. Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute and Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Lung transplant recipients, caregivers, and supportive community professionals comprise the volunteer board of directors. Our motto and founding principle of the LTSO is “Patients Helping Patients.” The founding members wanted to pay it forward to those undertaking the lung transplant journey.
The LTSO is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Thus, all gifts and donations received by the charity are tax deductible. If you would like to donate, you can do so through our website. We will be very grateful! Donations help offset some expenses patients incur not covered by their insurance plans, including prescription costs, specialty medical devices, transportation expenses, lodging expenses during the evaluation process and after surgery, and other charges.
Our website provides information about The Lung Transplant Quarters, where many patients stay before and after surgery. “The Quarters” offers patients and their caregivers inexpensive rates and immaculate, comfortable, fully furnished accommodations.
Our primary fundraising event is the Norm Lydiard Annual Breath of Hope Charity Golf Tournament, held in May each year. You can support LTSO by golfing in the tournament or sponsoring a golf package listed on the golf tournament page. I hope that you will participate. It is a great event! In November, we host a no-cost-to-you Fall Get Together for patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, sponsors, friends, and families. It is a great time to share stories, meet new people, and become part of the extended lung transplant family.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know is considering a lung transplant, contact us through this website or at 1-855-GOTMASK. We will help answer your questions or direct you to the best resources available to find answers and assist in any way we can.
We look forward to meeting and supporting you through your lung transplant journey.
Dave Wick, President
Patients Helping Patients
The Lung Transplant Support Organization
Your generous support will allow us to help lung transplant patients and their families take a breath of hope.
