A 22-year-old man, who was given a one percent chance of surviving after developing a vaping addiction, has come forward with a chilling warning for others. Jackson Allard, from North Dakota, defied the odds and saved his life through a double lung transplant. His journey serves as a wake-up call to the dangers of vaping.
Allard’s vaping addiction began at the young age of 14 and persisted for eight years. Little did he know, this habit would lead to a rapid and serious deterioration in his health. He was rushed to the University of Minnesota Medical Center at the beginning of this year for a double lung transplant. However, the procedure was only the beginning of a long and arduous battle.
During the first three months of 2022, Allard fought for his life. He was intubated, put on life support, and even experienced moments when his heart stopped. With fear in his eyes, his last words to his family before being sedated were, “I am scared, I don’t want to be alone.”
Allard’s story is a grave reminder that addiction can strike at any age. He started vaping as a young teenager and instantly became hooked. Spreading awareness, he warns others to be cautious, even advising his friend who smokes weed to be careful.
His grandmother, Doreen Hurlburt, emphasizes the severity of the situation, recounting how doctors gave Allard a mere one percent chance of survival. However, the family refused to give up and persisted in supporting him throughout his fight. Hurlburt also shares a harrowing statistic from multiple doctors: “If you smoke cigarettes for 50 years, we’ll see you with lung cancer, and if you vape for five years, we’ll see you with permanent lung damage.”
Dr. Stephanie Hanson from Stanford University sheds light on the lack of knowledge surrounding the long-term effects of vaping. Since it is a relatively new phenomenon, the potential dangers associated with vaping remain largely unknown. This uncertainty is what makes vaping so scary.
To further underline the risks, researchers from the University of Texas conducted a study involving over 40,000 people of all ages. Over a five-year period, they discovered that ten in every 1,000 adults developed asthma as a side effect of vaping. Those who had used e-cigarettes in the 30 days prior to the study had a 252 percent higher risk of developing asthma early in life, before the age of 27, compared to non-users.
The story of Jackson Allard serves as a powerful warning to the dangers of vaping. His survival, against all odds, should encourage others to take a step back and reevaluate their choices. Remember, it is never too late to make a change for the betterment of your health.
