Meet Forrest Reed

My name is Forrest Reed, and I am a PFF Ambassador for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). In the fall of 2020, my wife Vicki and I were entering the golden years of our lives. At my annual physical, I told my physician I felt great other than a persistent dry cough that I had been experiencing for the past six to eight weeks. He sent me to a pulmonologist, who performed a high-resolution CT scan of my lungs. I remember feeling that something more serious was happening when I saw the image and my pulmonologist explained that my scans showed scarring in my lungs.

After additional tests and a biopsy, my pulmonologist told me that I had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Vicki and I were in shock, we had never heard of the disease before, and I had no history of lung issues. We immediately started researching IPF, and the first information we found on Google was that the life expectancy is three to five years. Seeing that information shook both of us to the core, but I knew that I would not give up without a fight.

With the support of the PFF and my care team at UC Davis, I have completely changed my attitude when it comes to my diagnosis. My life motto is “Making Every Breath Count.” I may have IPF, but it does not own me!

I strive each day to make every breath count. This could be as simple as talking to members of my support group, encouraging someone to see a specialist, or raising awareness for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. With your support today, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will be able to help more patients and their families make sure that we move one step closer to finding a cure.

In 2022, I was selected as a PFF Ambassador. The PFF Ambassador program encourages and empowers patients, caregivers, lung transplant recipients, family members, and those who have lost a loved one to serve as spokespeople for the PF community on behalf of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. As a PFF Ambassador, I encourage those diagnosed with the disease to seek support and understand that they are not alone in this journey. The people I have met throughout my diagnosis have become part of my family.

Since becoming involved with the PFF, my wife Vicki and I have participated in every PFF Walk — Bay Area since 2022, which is one of six Walks held across the country. We love the PFF Walk because we get to unite with our regional PF community and walk together in solidarity — in honor of ourselves and our loved ones. We also attended the PFF Summit 2023, an educational conference that provided us the opportunity to learn from experts in the interstitial lung disease field. The presentations were patient-friendly, easy to understand, and empowered us with valuable knowledge. The PFF is only able to provide our community with these opportunities because of the generous support of donors such as yourself.