In 2008, a CT scan showed scarring on Patrick McGowan's lungs, and he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease with no known cause that is characterized by a scarring or thickening of the lungs and that grows progressively more severe over time.

The 70-year-old Fair Lawn resident's condition had been stable, but things recently took a turn for the worse.

With no known medications that improve the condition of patients with pulmonary fibrosis, doctors now say a lung transplant is critical to McGowan's survival. He was added to the active transplant waiting list in June and is expecting to receive a lung transplant by January 2013.

Before his illness worsened, McGowan acted in television, films and on the New York stage. He played tennis regularly and swam for exercise. Now, he can only enjoy movies on television, and his exercise is limited to short walks while using oxygen. After acting for the past 10 years, he misses the joy it gave him and he looks forward to getting back on stage, as well as spending many happy, healthy years enjoying his family after receiving a transplant. 

McGowan is extraordinarily grateful for his loving and supportive family, which includes his wife, Paula, their three children — Lisa, Seth and Daniel -- and their three grandchildren -- Laura, Scott and Sarah.

Following his lung transplant, he dreams of being active in their lives once again, as well as in the lives of his future grandchildren.

However, even with adequate health insurance to cover the approximately $550,000 transplant, McGowan faces insurmountable post-surgery expenses. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications that are very costly and critical to his survival, but not covered by insurance.

McGowan's son, Daniel, has started a crowd funding campaign on the National Foundation for Transplants website to help spread the word about his father's desperate need and drum up small donations. To date, the fund has raised $3,209 of its $25,000 goal.

You can help Patrick by making a tax-deductible donation via the National Foundation for Transplants at his page. If you'd prefer to send a gift by mail, please send it to the NFT New Jersey Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119, and be sure to write "in honor of Patrick McGowan" on the memo line.

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