CHANDLER, AZ – For the past few years, Chandler resident Tiffany Tate has endured a medical roller coaster ride.

The Seton Catholic High School basketball coach has been battling cystic fibrosis in need of a double lung transplant.

Tate’s lung capacity was down to 25 percent. 

“Think about it, 25 percent, that’s like you and I walking around breathing through straw. There were times she was just exhausted and so tired, but she always showed up to practice wanting to coach,” said Karen Self, a coach and teacher at Seton Catholic High School.

For nearly two years, those at the school and community have rallied around Tate by holding fundraisers after Tate loss transplant funding due to state budget cuts.

“We were really worried that she would get some sort of respiratory infection and not have any lungs available, it was getting scary and Tiffany is like a sister to me,” said Self while in the school’s basketball gym.

Recently the state funding that had previously been cut, was restored.

Wednesday, Tate’s phone rang and she was told a pair of lungs were waiting for her in Tucson.

“I screamed I was so happy,” said Morgan Huppenthal, a senior at Seton Catholic.

“I cried, I cried, I just hugged by husband, it was great to hear,” said Self.

“Some of us were laughing, some of us were crying, it was exciting,” said Seton Catholic senior Theresa Wirth.

Early Thursday morning, Tate underwent the surgery at a Tucson hospital.

About four hours later, Self said Tate’s family called and said the surgery went well and that she was recovering.

At the Chandler school, some believe a higher power intervened after they started a prayer chain.

“Everyone has been praying every day, I’ve been praying every day, it’s what we do here,” said Huppenthal.

“She (Tate) knows that this is from God and I believe it too, everyone was involved,” said Wirth. “Coach Tiffany is just so great, she motivates us and always has the best attitude.”

Tate remains in the intensive care unit in a Tucson hospital and is expected to stay in Tucson for the next three months for rehab.

“I just can’t wait to see her,” said Self.

Self said as of right now it appears as though the money donated during the fundraisers will help pay for Tate’s rehabilitation which could cost more than $200,000.