Charlotte pastor turns near-death experience into chance to help community

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte pastor is turning his near-death experience into an effort to help his community.

Tim Cox nearly died in 2016 before getting a lung transplant.

Now, he's drawing support for an event this weekend to raise awareness of a disease with no cure -- pulmonary fibrosis.

[Transplant recipient meets family of organ donor shot, killed in Lancaster]

The disease happens when lung tissue is scarred and, as the disease gets worse, breathing gets harder.

"You always anticipate the next breath. 'OK, I'm going to get a deep breath,'" Cox said. "In your optimism, thinking you're getting a deep breath next time, it never comes."

Cox's journey inspired a new path, and he plans to host an awareness walk and fundraiser Saturday morning at Carmel Road Park.

Interested in attending the walk? Register here.

Watch the video above as Cox walks Channel 9's Dashawn Brown through the impacts the disease had on his life and the steps he's taking now.

Cox Media Group