Veteran and Volunteer Reclaims His Life After Double-Lung Transplant

Chris Kennedy faced a life-altering decision in the fall of 2024. At 74, his lungs were failing, and his options were limited: pursue a double-lung transplant that could restore his quality of life or decline intervention and face the dire progression of his disease if left untreated.

Chris’ decision was initially difficult. A few years earlier, his younger brother had faced serious complications following a double-lung transplant for a similar form of interstitial lung disease (ILD)—a group of conditions that cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. That experience left a lasting impression on Chris, making his own journey toward transplant difficult to navigate.

“I was fearful I would go through the same thing,” says Chris, a longtime resident of Fairview Park, Ohio, who opted not to move forward with a lung biopsy upon being diagnosed in 2018 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). “I said at the time, ‘No, I’m in good shape. I can beat this.’ Well, you can’t just beat it by exercising. I learned that the hard way.”

After retiring from the Ohio Air National Guard in 2000 following 28 years of service, including as a navigator of C-130 Hercules military transport planes, Chris has dedicated much of his time to raising and training Bernese Mountain dogs for therapy visits at local hospitals. For more than two decades, he has been a committed volunteer with Cleveland Clinic’s Caring Canines program.

Every day, as part of their training, Chris took his dogs on brisk walks through the parks near his home. It was during one of those walks in 2018, accompanied by three Bernese Mountain dogs he owned at the time, he first noticed he was experiencing breathing difficulties.

“On some of the inclines that used to be easy, I would be really short of breath.” Eventually, he could no longer continue training the dogs or take them on patient visits.

Chris saw his lung function decline steadily over five years, despite continuing his fairly rigorous weight training regimen and riding a recumbent bicycle. It then dipped more steeply in the months before he and his wife Ava had his initial consultation with Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist Aman Pande, MD, in 2024.

“He told me, ‘You may not live past this year,’” recalls Chris. “My jaw dropped. That was a shock! We all battle through our lives, but this was the first time I realized mine had the potential of ending soon.”

Chris distinctly remembers Dr. Pande walking around his desk and sitting closer to him and Ava. “He told us, ‘We have options. We have hope.’ He explained since I was in good shape, besides the condition of my lungs, I could be considered for the transplant list. He was very encouraging.”

“Patients like Chris often benefit from receiving nuanced care—guided by biopsy results—shortly after their initial diagnosis, as the wide variety of lung diseases often requires customized treatment plans,” says Dr. Pande.

Having an interstitial lung disease specialist is essential in navigating through conditions like Chris’. They work closely with pulmonologists and other care team members to ensure a comprehensive, personalized treatment approach—helping patients navigate their disease with greater confidence and support.

However, by the time Chris saw Dr. Pande, barely able to walk and on constant oxygen support, he was left with limited options.

After their appointment with Dr. Pande, Chris and Ava – who met in 4^th grade and have been married for 53 years – sat down for an honest and heartfelt conversation.

“Ava and I looked at each other and I said, ‘I’m not ready to leave you and our family.’ And she said, ‘I don’t want you to leave.’ So, I said, ‘It’s settled then. Let’s do this!’”

After undergoing a comprehensive series of tests, Chris was officially approved for the transplant program. Committed to maintaining his physical fitness, he persevered with his routine of exercising four times a week, even as his lung function continued to deteriorate.

“It was tough, but I believed the stronger I could be going into transplant surgery, the better I’ll be at the end of it,” Chris states.

Chris underwent a successful double-lung transplant surgery performed by cardiothoracic surgeon James Yun, MD, PhD, on November 15, 2024. He endured setbacks during his recovery that required subsequent hospital stays. Chris has continued slowly and steadily regaining his strength. He’s able to walk up and down the steps to his basement, has resumed his weight training and biking routine, and enjoys spending time with Ava and their two children, their children’s spouses, and four grandchildren.

“At Cleveland Clinic, we’re fortunate to have the expertise and experience to care for complex cases like Chris’,” says Dr. Yun. “Seeing him regain his strength and return to an active lifestyle is truly inspiring. His progress is a testament not only to his determination, but also to the commitment our team brings to achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient.”

Currently, he and Ava have one dog, Fini. The name is short for “Finish,” as he believed it would be the last dog he would train. However, while waiting seven months for a transplant, Chris set a goal: if the transplant succeeded, he would raise and train another therapy dog.

If Chris’ progress continues, he will be re-certified as a therapy dog handler in September 2025. The Kennedy family will soon welcome a new therapy-dog-in-training named Encore—a meaningful name for Chris, symbolizing his second chance at life. Chris urges others facing daunting medical diagnoses to hold on to hope.

"Cleveland Clinic and the transformative and selfless gift of organ donation have redefined the meaning of hope for me," Chris reflects. "When you're facing a terminal illness and feel there's no way forward, and then someone offers you a genuine chance at life—that's when hope takes on a whole new significance, even if the journey ahead is challenging."

He pauses, before adding with a smile, "Yes, it's been difficult, but life is so worth it!"