Brad Scholenberg served as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church for 30 years before he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and left his job.
“It's a chronic lung disease that leaves healthy lung tissue permanently scarred beyond repair,” Brad's wife, Heidi Scholenberg, said. “Other conditions that can cause pulmonary fibrosis include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myositis, and now long COVID-19 is also a risk.”
The family realized something might be wrong when Brad, who was usually perfectly healthy, began feeling very tired during the day and needing to nap. He also developed a persistent, crackling cough that made it difficult to breathe.
“He was diagnosed a little over two years ago. As a pastor, he worked long hours. I thought maybe he should start exercising more. Eventually he went to the doctor, who thought he had pulmonary fibrosis.”
For people with pulmonary fibrosis, there is no treatment other than medication to slow scarring and transplants.
“Twelve weeks ago he underwent a double lung transplant in Edmonton,” Heidi said. “I am so grateful to my Lord and Savior, the God in heaven, for getting him through this. Two weeks later he was released from hospital and back in Winnipeg. I believe the prayers from all over the country changed his fate.”
On Saturday, August 24th, the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) will be hosting the Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis in Winnipeg.
“We encourage everyone to join us for the walk tomorrow,” said Sandy Bjorgum, Brad's daughter. “It's at 10 a.m. in Assiniboine Park. There will be food trucks, some speeches and a bunch of people on oxygen machines doing a short walk. There will be a kids' center and I will be running the kids' station so please come along.”
This is the first time the walk has been held in Winnipeg. To register, here Or sign up on the day of the event. All same-day registrants will receive lunch with a minimum donation of $10.
