In April 1978, when Billy Senopoulos was just three months old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. For more than twenty years he struggled with his illness, but was able to enjoy a relatively normal childhood thanks to fantastic medical care and treatments. Billy received physical therapy daily to expel mucus from his lungs, required numerous medications and was often hospitalized when his body required more intensive treatments. Nevertheless, Billy attended school (Brooks-Hobbs, St. Raphael and Malden Catholic), played with friends and even participated in youth sports. Billy was a captain of the Malden Catholic tennis team!
As Billy entered his twenties, his CF worsened. The daily medical regimen increased, his hospital visits became more frequent and his physical activity became limited. Billy was also diagnosed with diabetes. Billy has struggled to regulate that disease in addition to living with cystic fibrosis. At 29, Billy has been forced to take a medical leave of absence from college (Tufts University) and he is rarely able to leave his house. Billy's disease is at its end stage and, without a lung transplant soon, he will die. Billy has had to put his dreams on hold and is fighting for his life.
Billy is a positive person who is grateful for the many blessings in his life. He credits his close-knit family for supporting and strengthening him. Even as he struggles to breathe each day, he still tries to find time to enjoy the things he loves- art, music, and history. He looks forward to the lung transplant (that he knows will come) so that he can fulfill all of his dreams.
Please help Billy by becoming a living lung lobe donor!
