To My Life-Saving Surgeon, Who Immigrated From Iran
March 2, 2015. I was dying from cystic fibrosis (CF). I was on 24-hour supplemental oxygen support, counting the days I had been in the hospital waiting for an organ donor who would save my life — about 106 days at that point.
In 1976, when you were only 16 years old, you chose to immigrate to the United States of America from Iran to seek a better life full of opportunities this country could offer. In 1986, you received your medical degree, and by 1990 you had made a home in the hospital you still save lives in every single day.
For nearly 30 years, American citizens, among others, have sought refuge in your care as they pled for a second chance at life. You’ve advocated for their well-being, for their right to be treated regardless of cultural or financial background, and have helped create an institution that proudly claims #1 best hospital in California and #5 in the nation (a ranking that has been consistent for 28 years).
On March 3, 2015, I received a life-saving double-lung transplant, and despite going into the operation with only 9-percent lung function, you pulled me through. Just 12 hours later, I was walking, free of an oxygen tank, free of struggle, free of suffering. I was free.
In just over a month, I will be celebrating two years since that miraculous day. I have hiked mountains, I have biked along beaches, I have completed a 5k run, I have helped raise thousands of dollars for charities, and more importantly, I have shared countless more memories with my family and friends — all because of your decision to migrate to this country as a teenager.
My family, my friends, the charities I support and the massive amount of people who have followed my journey are forever grateful for you, for your work and for your commitment to practicing medicine in the United States of America.
So many people are free of pain because of you. I know you know how incredibly loved and supported you are by the amount of people you’ve taken in and tended to in the most desperate of times. We would not be here today had it not been for the sanctuary of your care.
God bless you, and God bless my donor,
Travis Flores
UCLA Organ Transplant Recipient, 2015
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Thinkstock photo by Ingram Publishing
Travis Michael Flores (Travis Flores) was born on April 7,1991 in Los Angeles, CA. At 4 months old, he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a life-long genetic disease that attacks the respiratory & digestive systems, forcing his family to move to Ohio where he could be treated by top physicians. In 2004, Travis published a children’s book, “The Spider Who Never Gave Up”, with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Travis began a 3 year book tour to share his story of perseverance and his received national recognition. His book also won the “Infinite Wish Award.” In 2005, Travis began a relationship with Disney Worldwide Outreach, later having a version of his book printed by the company. From the sales of the book, Travis donated money back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, individual school libraries etc. That was his first taste of philanthropy and he was determined to continue it. Around the same time of his book tour, Travis became the spokesperson for a series of fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Ohio. Between those fundraisers and his own charity work, Travis has raised over 1 million dollars for the organization. Travis also started his own children’s foundation in 2005 that provides laptops to children with life threatening illnesses who are in the hospital. The laptops are theirs to keep, regardless of their condition in the future! At the age of 16, Travis began college. At 18, he moved to New York City to finish his studies, graduating with his BA at the age of 20. Travis graduated with his master of science degree in Fundraising & Grant-Making from NYU at 22 years old. He plans to continue to grow his own organization as well develop the philanthropic relationships he has with other charities. Travis is equally passionate about his acting career as he is about his philanthropy and hopes that one day he will be able to do both simultaneously. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
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