Glenn Hutchinson
Fall 2026
Chairman’s Message
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Typically, we think of Flu Season being from October to May. We have the luxury of nice weather in November here in AZ and we don’t generally get our upswing on reported cases until December. It isn’t the cold that causes the flu, it’s getting around people that are already infected that causes the spread. As we quit enjoying the outside weather and start grouping together “out of the cold”, we begin to expose ourselves to more of the communicable diseases, and with suppressed immune systems are subject to catching them.
It’s time to start talking to your transplant team about whether-or-not you should get a flu vaccination (maybe as early as September) and about any other precautions you should take. Remember how you were told to go out and live your life after you got those beautiful new lungs? Well that still holds true but also remember the part right after that where you team probably told you not to take undue chances and to avoid sick people, or places where sick folks might be.
You remember, don’t you? Stay out of hospitals unless you are sick. Stay away from large groups of people, particularly when you know they are or may be ill. If someone is coughing and sneezing, keep some distance between them and you, and forgo shaking hands with them. And always, every time, without exception, frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Remember, no two transplant patients are identical. Contact your transplant team before taking any advice that might affect your health and remember that this letter is a general statement and may not apply to everyone reading it.
Breathe deep and breathe well and remember the Fall Get Together for lung transplant patients, their friends and family, their transplant team and those that support us and them is coming up at El Dorado Park on Saturday November 7 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Get more details under the events tab here at gotmask.org.
Breathe deep and breathe well,
Glenn Hutchinson, Chairman
Lung Transplant Support Organization
Patients Helping Patients
The Lung Transplant Support Organization
Your generous support will allow us to help lung transplant patients and their families take a breath of hope.
