An Abbotsford man with a rare lung disease is recovering in the intensive care unit after undergoing an 8.5-hour transplant surgery on Tuesday (Jan. 7).

Kolton Fowlie, 25, had the surgery at Vancouver General Hospital after receiving word on Monday that he had been matched with a deceased donor.

Fowlie was diagnosed at the age of one with a terminal condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans. The disease causes scarring and inflammation of the airways, which leads to a decline in lung function.

His condition turned critical last month and he has been on the transplant list since Dec. 23.

His mom, Casandra Hiscock, posted online Tuesday night to say that Fowlie was out of surgery and that his new lungs were working.

However, he has a long recovery ahead and their biggest concern in the coming days is the possibility of organ rejection.

鈥淲e need to pray that his body doesn鈥檛 reject the new lungs too severely and that the medical team has the time they need to find the right balance of medications to support his recovery and healing,鈥� Hiscock wrote.

She thanked the donor and their family for the 鈥渟elfless choice鈥� that allowed her son to receive the transplant.

鈥淲e will never stop being grateful for this gift, and we ask everyone reading this to consider signing your donor cards. You could save a life, just like someone did for Kolton,鈥� Hiscock stated.

A GoFundMe campaign is raising money to cover medical and household expenses while Hiscock and her husband, Joe, take time off work to remain by Fowlie鈥檚 side.

The campaign can be found by searching 鈥溾�� at gofundme.com