By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Bobby Buxbaum struggles to breathe when the weather is too hot or when it is too cold.
The 2004 Brandon High School graduate is kept a prisoner in his Auburn Hills apartment most days, unable to venture out and risk becoming ill.
Last fall, he had to quit his full-time job and drop out of college when his doctor told him he wouldn’t survive another year otherwise.
Buxbaum, 24, has cystic fibrosis. But with a new set of lungs, he will get a new lease on life. Last month, he was placed on the list for a double lung transplant at the University of Michigan.
‘I’m a great candidate,? said Buxbaum. ‘My allocation score places me close to the top. It’s highly unlikely I will wait more than a year for my lungs.?
When the call comes, he hopes to be ready. A red carpet fundraiser to help Buxbaum with the medical expenses for his transplant and recovery is planned for 6-10 p.m., July 11, at Boulder Pointe, One Champions Circle, Oxford. Cost for the dinner and silent auction is $50 per person and features a red carpet Hollywood theme inspired by Buxbaum’s love for filmmaking. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite movie character, with prizes for best-dressed.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease which causes glands to produce sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and intestines, creating problems with breathing and food digestion. Buxbaum grew up fairly normally, with the exception of excessive coughing, enzymes before meals and occasional hospital visits. He even played football and street hockey in middle school and was involved in the OSMTech program in high school, but as he got older, his condition worsened.
Four years ago, he felt he was in his prime? at 5?11?, he was 150 pounds and working out, with his lung capacity about 50 percent. Now, he has about 17 percent lung capacity, he weighs about 107 pounds and just walking can get him winded. Twice a day, he does hour-long breathing treatments to clear his lungs. He can only see his friends when they come to his apartment and are healthy.
‘Without a transplant, I could push it another five years, but I’m not living a life right now,? said Buxbaum. ‘I should be finishing college and getting married. My dream is to get married and have kids.?
He also dreams of becoming a high school history and video editing teacher.
When Buxbaum gets a transplant, his new lungs will not be affected by the cystic fibrosis, he said. He is unconcerned about the digestive part of his disease, explaining that it only flares up occasionally.
‘I’ll be a new person with new lungs and can get back to the things I want to do,? Buxbaum said. ‘I can’t wait to play street hockey and go camping and play football.?
He is very grateful for the support he has already received.
‘The economy is really tough, but people still find it in their hearts to bless me,? he said.
To help Buxbaum with his medical expenses, make checks payable to NTAF Great Lakes Lung Transplant Fund (in the memo section, write ‘In honor of Bobby Buxbaum?) and mail to: National Transplant Assistance Fund, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087 or contribute at www.transplantfund.org. For more information, call 800-642-8399.