Patient Stories Print (VIDEO) Breathing easy thanks to the gift of life and new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in ArizonaCraig Scherer takes a deep breath and a bold step into his second chance at life Lung disease is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Some of those diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are among the top leading causes of death globally. COPD alone affects over 16 million people, like Arizona resident Craig Scherer. Craig got treatments to manage his condition, but there's no cure. The disease is progressive, meaning… Mayo Clinic in Arizona announces launch of new lung transplant program offering hope and restored function to patients facing advanced lung diseaseFirst patient celebrates 67th birthday using his new lungs to blow out candles on his birthday cake in honor of receiving the gift of life PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic in Arizona announced it has added lung transplantation to its nationally recognized solid organ transplant program. The program delivers world-class care to critically ill patients battling end-stage lung disease who need a lung transplant to survive and restore their quality of life. The new Mayo Clinic Lung… PST-20471122 Home Patient Stories