Milwaukee woman receives double lung transplant, has new lease on life

Milwaukee woman receives double lung transplant

Last year, a New Berlin woman was battling severe complications from her third COVID-19 infection. Her lungs were failing and treatment wasn?t working.

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - What a difference a year has made for one Milwaukee woman.

COVID complications

What we know:

Last year, Wanda Welch-Steffens was battling severe complications from her third COVID-19 infection. She was near death until a life-altering surgery.

Welch-Steffens became critically ill in December 2023. Her lungs were failing and treatment wasn’t working.

"Breathing was a true exercise. It took a lot for my body to be able to breathe accurately."

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

To survive, the team at UW Health put her on a list for a double lung transplant.

"I was in total disbelief that this was happening to me. I’ve always been a healthy person. It was my faith in God and my trust in Him and in His promises to me that made me know he was not done with my life," she said. "I knew, I just knew I was going to get a call."

She received a match on April 6.

"When I took that call, I was bawling, I was crying, I could barely control my tears," Welch-Steffens said.

Taking steps

After the surgery, the rehab to get used to her new lungs was challenging.

She’s now standing on her own.

"I am doing fantastic. Let me tell you, I am doing fantastic," she said. "Every time I breathe, I’m for sure going to thank God. But also thank my donor. I wouldn’t be able to talk to you right now."

That deep faith, family and fitness are the foundation of her life. Throughout her journey, she always had hope.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

 She finds joy in the gym seven days a week, proudly pushing her body after overcoming a life-threatening battle.

"It’s so fulfilling," she said. "It brings me joy."

Changing lives

What's next:

Welch-Steffens is in seminary school. She has three more semesters left. She plans to develop a ministry to help people transform their lives.

"I knew that if I had hope and if I could hold on to that hope, that I would get through it and I did," Welch-Steffens said.

She’s also become an advocate for organ donation.