Eric Celentano

Eric received a double lung transplant in Toronto in December 2018 after a six-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Prior to his diagnosis, he spent 25 years of his career as a respiratory medical equipment vendor serving the healthcare system in western Canada. His recovery has gone very well, and in recent years, Eric has been active as a patient advocate, volunteer, and philanthropist for several medical organizations, including Trillium Gift of Life (ON), Lung Health Foundation, CPFF, Toronto Lung Transplant Civitan Club, and UHN, as well as educational institutions such as the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College.

Eric joined the registry to contribute his lived experience with pulmonary fibrosis, the transplant process, and the Canadian healthcare system. He has had the opportunity to speak to many patients and community groups, observing a significant lack of information about these diseases and how to access appropriate care. Eric hopes the registry will help bridge this gap by providing greater information to support accurate and timely diagnoses, care pathways, and treatments for patients.