Andy Dykstra, lung transplant recipient in 2008 and first person in the world to benefit from Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion technology, walking with his granddaughter.

For more than the three million Canadians who live with a serious respiratory illness, and for the hundreds of millions more around the globe, the simple act of breathing can become an all-consuming, life-defining challenge. Lung diseases such as asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds with devastating consequence.

The Lung Program at UHN brings together unprecedented research, outstanding education and exceptional patient care spanning the entire spectrum of lung disease, from asthma to infectious disease to transplantation, with a single focus: to better diagnose, treat and cure even the most challenging lung diseases, so that breathing is never hard work.

Our world-renowned team, driven by an ongoing pursuit of knowledge, cares for more than 50,000 people each year. Patients with the most complex and advanced lung diseases are referred to UHN from across the country. And they want to be treated here because UHN has the life-saving expertise they need and a commitment to building relationships for life with our patients.

Since the first Acute Respiratory Care Unit in Canada was founded at Toronto General Hospital 70 years ago, lung research at UHN has redefined what is possible. Achievements include:

In three key areas – surgery, medical care and critical care – world-renowned lung experts at UHN are improving the quality of life for those suffering from lung disease today and changing the course of care for generations to come.

We need donor support to better diagnose, treat and cure even the most challenging lung diseases – so that every breath doesn’t have to be a struggle.