Sandpoint native receives lifesaving lung transplant after years-long battle

PHOENIX — For Sandpoint native Brett Peterson, every breath is now a gift which brings tears to his eyes.

Born and raised in Sandpoint, Peterson spent more than 15 years working for B.F. Redi-Mix before his life changed dramatically in November 2021 when he contracted COVID-19 and became critically ill. Peterson was admitted to Kootenai Health, where his condition worsened, and he was placed on a ventilator as his lungs began to fail. 

Peterson’s daughter, Stephanie Peterson, said there were times that the family feared that he might not survive his treatment. However, through perseverance Peterson pulled through. 

After surviving the initial illness, Brett spent nine months in a rehabilitation facility working to regain the strength to return home in July 2022. From that point forward, he required oxygen full-time as pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, continued to progress. 

In the spring of 2025, his pulmonologist delivered devastating news: he likely had only one to two years to live. Stephanie Peterson said his team of doctors encouraged him not to give up and pursue a lung transplant. 

So, Brett Peterson and his wife, Sally, temporarily relocated to Phoenix, where he was accepted into the transplant program at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center. After completing three weeks of extensive testing, he was placed on the transplant list Feb. 4. 

“We were wondering if we were doing the right thing, was he strong enough after having COVID and being in long term care before?” Stephanie Peterson said. “So, towards the end, the doctors had total faith in him, it was completely up to you, but we think it's the best option.” 

Just 11 days later, he received the call that they had found a match and a potential donor. Stephanie Peterson and her sister got on the first flight from Spokane to Phoenix to support their father. 

“It was literally the moment we had prayed for,” Stephanie Peterson said. “When my sister and I were on the plane, it was, he was already in surgery having it done. So, it's you're excited and you're scared and you honestly don't know, I mean, you don't know the outcome.” 

Brett Peterson underwent a double lung transplant on Feb. 15 and is now far exceeding expectations in recovery. Stephanie Peterson said the doctors are already contemplating releasing her father after just over a week in recovery.

She said the team of doctors supporting Brett Peterson have called his recovery significant and put his path in the top 10% of lung transplants. 

“If you go back from the beginning, when he first went in after getting COVID, we nearly lost him,” Stephanie Peterson said. “Now we're watching him walk over a mile in the hallways with no supplemental oxygen is … I literally have no words, like speechless but grateful. I never honestly thought it would happen.” 

Throughout the journey, the family says the support from the Sandpoint community has carried them. Stephanie Peterson said she would frequently read comments from friends and family in Sandpoint to Brett Peterson to keep him going. 

“I try and update our family and friends at home and Sandpoint,” Stephanie Peterson said. "Just getting the messages back from them and reading them to him, I think, has really helped him improve as well.” 

Peterson said she wanted to share the story of her father, not only to inform the community that had supported her father, but to inspire others to never lose hope. 

“There is hope out there, and to not give up if, if someone is in need,” Peterson said. “There are many opportunities and great doctors and there's been so much support to keep going, pushing and striving on.” 

A fundraising effort has been created to help the family remain in Phoenix during his recovery and cover transplant-related living expenses. The fundraiser can be found at: gofund.me/7b1f99015.