POST FALLS - Mike Darrar is a medical miracle who is beating the odds - for now.

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant, the 44-year-old Post Falls man is fighting for his life as he awaits a bilateral lung transplant.

"He wasn't expected to live long enough to even go to (college)," said Claudia Holtz, Mike's mother-in-law. "He's our walking miracle."

Mike and his wife, Kathy, will have their 21st wedding anniversary this summer, another milestone a lot of Cystic Fibrosis patients can only hope for as most don't live past their mid-20s.

Mike is in the end stages of the disease caused by a mutated gene that causes the body to produce abnormally thick and sticky mucus.

Mike was put on the organ donor list in January and family has been caring for him in the Seattle area to be close to University Hospital where a transplant would take place.

"You just take each day as it comes," Kathy said on Monday from Bothell, Wash. "There's challenges every day. I place a lot of faith in God. He has a plan and we have a lot of people praying that we'll get through this."

Mike is a lifelong North Idaho resident. He was raised in Fernwood near St. Maries and attended high school in St. Maries. He went through North Idaho College's automotive program. Mike worked for Coeur d'Alene Honda and, most recently, with his father Art's former chain saw shop in Post Falls.

Mike hasn't been able to work a full day for several years. He has assisted neighbors with odds and ends and the restoration of the old Pleasantview School near his home south of Post Falls.

Mike's dream is to be able to drive again, go fishing and continue his hobby of making home-brewed beer.

Mike is on oxygen 24 hours a day and is not able to walk and talk at the same time. The average wait time for lungs is three to six months, but it can be as long as two and a half years, according to the nonprofit Children's Organ Transplant Association, which is assisting the family with fundraising.

Mike's surgery will cost about $400,000 and the family is trying to raise $40,000 to cover the transplant-related expenses not covered by his insurance.

A breakfast fundraiser will be held at the Pleasantview School south of Post Falls at 18724 W. Riverview Drive on Saturday, May 7 from 8-11 a.m. Raffle tickets for a boat trailer, quilts and gift baskets will be sold at the breakfast and at Mountain View Brewery in Wallace the same day from 1:30-5 p.m.

How to help

Two fundraisers for Mike Darrar will be held on Saturday, May 7. A breakfast featuring eggs and biscuits and gravy will be held at the Pleasantview School at 18724 W. Riverview Drive south of Post Falls from 8-11 a.m. Raffle tickets for a 12-foot 2008 Lowes Sea Nymph 1256 boat and Carnai trailer, quilts and gift baskets will be sold at the breakfast and at Mountain View Brewery in Wallace from 1:30-5 p.m. Tickets for the boat and trailer are $5 each or five for $20 and 1,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets for the quilts and gift baskets are $1 each or six for $5. Donations can also be made at www.COTAforMikeD.com. Information: Tuesday Pointere, 777-7751 or Tuesday@mbcnw.com.