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In honor of Veterans Day, we celebrate Kil Sawford, a six-year U.S. Navy veteran and defense contractor from Salt Lake City. Several years after his honorable discharge, Kil faced a new challenge: interstitial lung disease. “I was starting to cross the threshold,” Kil shared, reflecting on his journey. “Ten days later, they found me lungs.” 

Thanks to expert care from Matthew Morrell, MD, professor of medicine and medical director of the Lung Transplant Program, and Matthew Goodwin, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at �㽶��Ƶ of Utah Health, Kil received a double lung transplant on November 30, 2022. 

Just six months later, Kil ran his first 5K “I realized I had a whole life I can start planning now,” he said. He returned to work as an electrical engineer and embraced an active lifestyle with his wife and two young sons. 

In July 2024, Kil competed in the Transplant Games of America in Alabama, joining thousands of transplant recipients, donors, and supporters to honor the gift of life and raise awareness for organ donation. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of our veterans and the life-changing impact of organ donation.