Michael R. and Leslie F. Notaro Lung Transplant Research Fund

This fund was established by Leslie F. Notaro in memory of Michael R. Notaro, her beloved husband, whose lung transplant performed at UF Health allowed him to survive for eight and a half years. In honor of this lifesaving care, Leslie’s gift supports ex vivo lung perfusion research at UF Health.

Mike and Leslie Notaro moved to Florida shortly before Mike was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable disease in which lung tissue becomes scarred and results in the lungs being unable to properly move oxygen into your bloodstream. Mike was placed on the lung transplant wait list in early 2003 and received his new lung on October 26, 2006. He later passed away from cancer on April 11, 2015.