Dan Lagasse March 2009
Despite calling himself an "ordinary guy with an extraordinary illness," Dan Lagasse, who has the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF), has never let his extraordinary illness make him lead an ordinary life. His life history is varied and rich: Dan has traveled around the world, participated in community service at an international level and been present in countries for their polarizing cultural moments, such as being in Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall and in Iraq after Desert Storm. The average lifespan of someone with CF is 37-years-old, but Dan, with a positive attitude, adherence to his medical routine and exercise, has been blessed to reach the age of 50.
Dan has traveled to more than 43 countries, many of them third-world, to help people. He was a part of "Operation Mobilization," a group of more than 5,400 people in over 110 countries who work to bring a message of hope to the people of the world. Dan and his wife, DeAnna, originally got started in the program when they decided to move to Germany for a new experience and to learn a new language. While in Germany, Dan and DeAnna got involved in missionary work and in particular, started helping Kurdish refugees, who had a large population in Germany. Dan was also still living in Germany during the fall of communism and was able to be a part of taking down the Berlin wall. Dan???s desire to help other people is enduring, and he is now a pastor who counsels over 50 missionary families around the world, as well as other patients and families who struggle with CF.
"Live life to the fullest, none of us have a guarantee." As Dan says to his congregation, "My purpose in life is rooted in my faith, which is part of everything I do."
He credits much of his ability to stay positive and steadfast in his life to his personal faith and his family. Dan believes that "no one can walk this journey alone," and credits his family as a tremendous source of strength. Married for 25 years, Dan says his wife DeAnna is sweet and hard-working and has handled his illness with grace, faith and patience. They have two adopted daughters, Jessica, 18, and Shirena, 19.
Besides being positive, Dan understands the importance of staying compliant to his CF medicines and takes the utmost care of himself. Since he must take many different medicines about four times a day, Dan finds that by spending 45 minutes each month rationing out his medicines in a dozen day-of-the-week pill boxes, he can be organized and know exactly which pills he has to take each day for the rest of the month. In addition to staying on track with his medication, Dan also maintains an active lifestyle by working out at the gym three times a week and doing other physical activities such as hiking and doing house and yard work.
The same drive and dedication Dan uses when staying compliant to his medicines and exercise routine is apparent in his hobbies as well. He is passionate about reading and writing, and is interested in having a book published one day. He also loves antique cars, and several years ago decided to restore a 1936 Ford, taking a night class to learn how to weld and work with fiberglass and steel. Other hobbies include deep-sea fishing with his friends and music. He plays the trombone in two jazz bands.
"Whether traveling, rebuilding his old car or counseling others, Dan lives every day to the fullest," says Ana Stenzel, co-chair of the Heroes of Hope™ Living with CF panel and advocate in the CF community. "His story gives many people great hope and he is truly an inspiration to all."
Please note: The information contained on these Heroes of Hope™ Living with CF award recipient biographies are not regularly updated. The information only represents the point in time when the Heroes of Hope recipient was honored.
