Retired Seattle Police Officer 1-Year Post Double Lung Transplant

Tim Hubbard was living an active life being outdoors, camping, and traveling after working 28 years for the Seattle Police Department and more than 10 years for the City of Seattle. He and his wife, Sandy, have traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, and extensively throughout the U.S. and now reside in Wenatchee, Washington.

“I was truly the happiest I had ever been in my life,” Tim said, reflecting on life after retirement.

Tim’s active life unfortunately came to a halt after he began experiencing dry coughs and shortness of breath. His health really took a downward turn in December 2016, which prompted him to see his doctor. A lung specialist diagnosed him with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a type of lung disease characterized by lung scarring that progressively declines the organ’s function. The ailment has no identified cause or cure. His once lively lifestyle quickly became much more confined as he was tethered to an oxygen tank while waiting for new lungs.

Obtaining a spot on the transplant waiting list provided the Hubbard’s with a sense of excitement and hope, but also a bit of anxiety not knowing how everything would turn out. Staying positive and keeping faith during the waiting process was a huge test.

“Once I was on the transplant list, the wait was incredibly stressful,” Tim remembers. “Always wondering if I would get the call. [I] was going to exercise classes and trying to stay strong. The pulmonary rehab support team was wonderful. Without family and friends, I wouldn’t have made it.”

Fortunately, Tim received the call he was waiting for on October 18, 2017, just 65 days after he was added to the UNOS organ transplant waiting list.

Tim received his double-lung transplant two days later at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Now, one year out from his surgery, Tim is grateful for the gift of life that his donor has provided him and his family. A gift that completely changed their lives for the better.

Tim is doing well today and has been able to enjoy many of the same activities he did prior to his diagnosis.

This past May, he was able to welcome his new grandson, Austin Timothy, to the world.

“Life now is good!” Tim exclaimed. “…Now, I can BREATHE. Communities need to know how important becoming a donor is because you just never know! I want to contact my donor family and tell them how blessed I am and how proud they should be of their gift.”

On his one-year transplant anniversary day, Tim walked a 5k with his community to celebrate.

Tim will be visiting the Seattle Police Officer Guild this November to discuss his experience with transplantation and promoting organ donation. The Hubbard’s are also planning a family trip to Mexico this winter to celebrate Tim’s one-year transplant anniversary.

He gratefully reflects on the past year and how his life has been restored: “I am so thankful after my double-lung transplant one year ago! I honestly don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for the amazing team of doctors and nurses who cared for me, and of course, my loving wife and family! I feel great now and am living a very normal life, doing just about everything I did before I got sick! It is truly amazing. I really try to make the most of every day and I will always honor my donor by promoting organ donation whenever possible.”

As we celebrate the season of giving and the generosity of our donor heroes, be sure to share your kindness as well. Register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor today, and talk to your family about your wishes. You can register at your local DMV when receiving or renewing your license or online at www.lcnw.org.

About LifeCenter Northwest

Founded in 1997, LifeCenter Northwest is the federally designated organ procurement organization serving communities throughout Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington. LifeCenter Northwest works collaboratively with roughly 200 hospitals across our region to save lives through organ and tissue donation. For more information, or to register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, go to www.lcnw.org.