Lee Means has been one of my closest friends for almost five years. I can honestly say I've experienced some of my most fun/memorable moments with Lee and he is one of the greatest friends I've known in my life.
Lee is from Birmingham, AL. But, for the last three years has lived in Chattanooga, TN. Lee works as a Sales Representative for an outdoor sales group called Uber Group. He has an endless passion for climbing and is an Athlete Ambassador for the Access Fund. The Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and helps conserve climbing environments. Lee is also an Honorary Board Member for The Southeastern Climbers Coalition which also helps to preserve climbing areas for future generations. He has helped develop and save numerous climbing areas around the Southeast and is an inspiring individual to both the outdoor industry and his dearest friends.
On August 17th, Lee came down with what seemed to be pneumonia and was taken to the emergency room. He had muscle aches, chills, and was very short of breath. After a few hours of trying to figure out what was happening, the doctors decided to do an EKG. They found out his heart was working only 10-15% of what it should've been. Lee had gone into acute heart failure. At this point, he was rushed to surgery for a small procedure. They inserted a ballon pump that would assist his heart and improve it's function. Lee was then admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Although the doctors were still not sure what had caused this, they soon found out it was a virus that had attacked his heart and lungs. This causing them to be inflamed and they diagnosed him with Myocarditis.
Twenty-three hours later, Lee went into sudden cardiac arrest.  His heart failed along with his ability to breath and he was put on life support. Lee was then life flighted by helicopter to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Within the next week, Lee was in and out of the Cardiac ICU with six cardiac arrests. He continually showed strength that assured everyone he was going to be fine. He is now on his way to recovery with what he likes to call his "robotic heart"...a combination pacemaker & defibrillator. Lee is only 28 years old!

So, at this point, all of our friends/family are trying to raise money to pay for his soon to come medical expenses. Again, no amount is too small! Lee has no health insurance because of a recent change in employment and will be out of work for several months to go through rehabilitation. I assure you, if you help Lee, he and everyone involved in this life altering experience will be the next to 'give it forward'...