Life has a way of changing course when we least expect it. For Craig, his journey began in late 2022 with a routine health check—one that would unexpectedly reveal scarring on his lungs. A diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) followed in early 2023, which left him facing an uncertain future. But Craig isn’t one to back down from a challenge. Just over a year after undergoing a double lung transplant, he’s taking on another incredible feat: walking 32 miles around Manhattan in The Great Saunter, an annual urban hike that started in 1982. Each year on the first Saturday of May, the Saunter brings 3,000 walkers together to circumnavigate Manhattan, staying as close to the shoreline as possible.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Craig’s diagnosis came as a shock. At the time, he had no respiratory symptoms—no breathlessness, no sign that his lungs were silently deteriorating. But as the months passed, his condition took a rapid turn. By the end of 2023, he required oxygen 24/7. As his health declined, Craig and his fiancée made a life-changing decision: they would get married before he underwent a double lung transplant. On March 25, 2024, they tied the knot at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall. Just 36 hours later, Craig received the call that would save his life—a donor match had been found.
One Year Later: Walking 32 Miles to Raise Awareness
Recovering from a lung transplant is no small task. Every breath Craig takes today is a testament to perseverance, medical science, and the generosity of his donor. But he refuses to stop there. As part of his recovery, he set a bold goal: to complete The Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around Manhattan, on May 3, 2025.
“The idea first came to me when I was still in the hospital recovering,” Craig recalls. “I was thinking about all the things I wanted to do once I got home. A key part of rehab is setting goals, and when talking with friends, I thought, ‘Why not do The Great Saunter?’ It just looked like a fun, interesting challenge.”
Why Craig Walks
For Craig, this walk is about more than personal achievement—it’s about spreading awareness and making a difference. “My disease was discovered by accident. Lung diseases, in general, are often found too late. IPF is a brutal and horrible disease. It’s degenerative. It’s incurable. And for too many, especially older patients, it’s a death sentence.”
While promising treatments are in development, Craig knows that progress needs to be faster. That’s why he’s raising funds for PF Warriors. It is through our community that played a pivotal role in his own journey. “Aside from my family and my doctors, PF Warriors was the most helpful part of my entire journey. Between the Zoom calls and the Facebook group, I was able to get so many questions answered, to get drastically needed motivation and support, and to feel like I was not alone.”
Join Craig in Making an Impact
Craig has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $20,000, and every dollar raised will help PF Warriors continue our mission to offer support, education, inspiration, and hope to individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis. You can help in several ways:
- Donate
- Send a Message of Encouragement
- Share Craig’s Story
Craig’s race bib will carry a simple but powerful message: “Walking to Stop IPF.” And with each step of his 32-mile journey, he’ll be doing just that.
PF Warriors, let’s rally behind Craig as he takes on this incredible challenge. Together, we can make strides—one step at a time—toward a future where no one has to face PF alone.
Thank you for your support!
Is My Donation Tax Deductible?
PF Warriors is a Texas limited-liability company operating as PF Warriors, a project of Players Philanthropy Fund, Inc., a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178, ppf.org/pp). Contributions to PF Warriors qualify as tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
About PF Warriors:
PF Warriors is a global support network that provides education, inspiration, and hope to individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Your generous tax-deductible donation will help fund our mission to help people facing a life-altering progressive lung condition live their best possible lives after diagnosis.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disorder characterized by the formation of scar tissue in the lungs. This scarring leads to breathing difficulties, diminished lung function, and lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream. While currently incurable, there are treatments available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
