Vaulter Jerry Cahill gets second wind: double lung transplant
A week ago Wednesday, M55 vaulter Jerry Cahill “received a call he has been waiting for a number of years,” reports the Armory track site. “[His] double lung transplant was approved and performed. He received his new lungs that day, thanks to a very generous donor. There are plenty of challenges ahead for Jerry, including the threat of infections and the rejection of the lungs. Yet challenges are what Jerry is about. He volunteers with the Boomer Esiason Foundation, heading up scholarship and transplant grants programs. He also founded the Team Boomer – Fighting Cystic Fibrosis athletic program, hosts a regular CF podcast and produces the CF Wind Sprint video series.”
Jerry has CF himself, and competed as recently as 2009.
More from the Armory report:
Jerry continues to make improvements with each passing day at Columbia University New York Presbyterian — right across the street from The Armory. His lungs are functionally normally and the hospital staff has him up and walking.
Coach Jan Mitchell — who works with Cahill on a daily basis — could not say enough positive things about his friend. “Jerry is a true inspiration to everyone who is lucky enough to know him. He values life more than anyone I have ever met. He is the most positive person ever! We are fortunate to have him as our pole vault coach at Iona Prep and Ursuline since 1988. The National CF Community is very lucky to have such a man proving that you can live a long and productive life with this disease.”
8 Responses
Wow, how amazing is THIS? “Gee, Tex, it’s as amazing as it gets.” Oh, right, makes my recent quadruple hernia repair next to nothing. From Jerry to Jerry, “You be tough now.” Smartty
An amazing guy and an amazing story. Sort of puts everything into perspective. Looking forward to seeing Jerry back in competition. Nothing stops Jerry, and with his new lungs, he’ll be flying.
There should be a LIKE button on this web site.
I met Jerry in Boston a few years ago and have kept in touch sporadically. He’s just a great human being and as selfless as you will ever find. AND a good vaulter. So happy for him.
fantastic news – best wishes Jerry for a renewed life with a new set of lungs.
I agree with Milan- where is the like button.
With a focus and attitude like yours, you’ll be back helping the kids and challenging yourself in the vault very soon. I hope I get a chance to meet you at a competition some day.
Run hard; Jump high; Be safe.
best wishes…!
j.c. is an inspiration to all of us.
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