Over the past few weeks, friends of the Haggerty family have been raising money to support the uninsured costs of a lung transplant. Ptarmigan Arts has been selling donated art to benefit Haggerty. Next month starting at 9:30 a.m. March 3 is Max’s Race at the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, a kayaking slalom race to raise money for Haggerty. (See related story, page 1A)

“It’s great for Max to have as much love and support as possible,” said his mother, Alice Haggerty, of the fund-raising and other efforts.

Max has been staying with Alice and his father Mako Haggerty in Eugene, Ore., while he waits for his transplant. Max’s fraternal twin, Lance, attends maritime school nearby in Astoria. The Haggertys also have family in the area.

Insurance is covering his medical expenses, including the transplant, but it won’t cover the family’s time off from work, food and lodging and transportation, Alice Haggerty said. She makes jewelry and Mako Haggerty runs Mako’s Water Taxi. Alice Haggerty has had to cancel several craft show trips since Max got sicker last summer.

“We’re really unable to work,” Haggerty said. “Life as we used to know it has been altered and changed.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the body’s ability to regulate production of sweat, digestive juices and mucus. Lung disease caused by chronic infections is the most frequent effect.

Most victims do not live beyond their 30s, and lung transplantation is usually necessary to prolong life. When Max gets a lung transplant, cystic fibrosis won’t come back to the healthy lungs, Alice Haggerty said.

The transplant surgery will be done at the University of Washington Medical Center. The Haggertys are on call all the time, and have to be able to get to Seattle within three hours of a call. They have a contract with an air taxi to fly Max to Seattle at any hour, Alice Haggerty said.

The surgeon who will perform the transplant, Dr. Michael Mulligan, does 52 lung transplants a year, and did eight in January, she said. If successful, Max could increase his lung function to up to 93 percent, with the average gain of 80 percent. After the transplant, Max will stay in Seattle for treatment for at least three months while he’s evaluated to make sure his body accepts the new lungs. He’ll also be on anti-rejection and other drugs for the rest of his life.

In his third year at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Max grew up in Homer and graduated from Homer High School. He’s not in school this semester because of his medical needs.

Haggerty said Max and his family appreciate what Homer has been doing for them. In addition to the fund-raisers, friends have set up a Web site at www.welovemax.org.

“We’ve been getting so much love and support from the community of Homer,” Alice Haggerty said. “It helps give us strength and energy to keep our spirits and morale moving forward. It’s great.”

As Max moves toward his transplant and beyond, updates will be posted on his Web page, Alice Haggerty said. Cards can be sent to him at 795 East 39th Place, Eugene, OR 97405. Donations can be made to Max’s Fund, an account at Wells Fargo Bank, Homer, or checks mailed to Mako Haggerty at P.O. Box 2001, Homer, AK 99603.