Bob and Jordan Bolton are helping to raise money for the American Lung Association. Jordan nearly died from coronavirus, and still struggles with lung issues. 

"Jordan went from bad to worse to near-death in a very short period of time," Bob Bolton said.

The 31-year-old was otherwise healthy when he got coronavirus in July 2021, but the infection left him with longterm effects.

"I have breathing issues a little bit still, I do have some nerve damage," Jordan said.

Those breathing issues are why the father-son duo said it is so important to help the American Lung Association raise money.

They plan to assist the cause by judging the Lip Sync for Lungs event on Friday at ZooTampa.

"It’s very important to have everybody continue working to find a cure for anything that’s out there lung related," Jordan Bolton said.

Jordan was in the ICU for over four months, and his father was there to support him the entire time.

"Not knowing day-to-day when I would leave him, I’d say a prayer and then I’d walk away, and I’d just lose it all the way to the car,"  Bob Bolton said. "Then I’d have to sit in the car and gather myself before I drove away, because we had no idea what was going to happen overnight or the next day, and that went on for days which became weeks, which became months."

During that time, Jordan said he was on a waiting list for a lung transplant, but ended up improving enough to ultimately not need the surgery. 

Jordan was home before Thanksgiving, but then had to go through months of rehab. He said he's grateful to be better, and grateful for those who were there to support him.

"Luckily, I made it out," said Jordan.

The Lip Sync For Lungs event will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at ZooTampa in Lowry Park. 

Money raised will fund the American Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, and support its COVID-19 Action Initiative. The Initiative is a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics.