Former SU student raises awareness for lung disease on Mother’s Day after moms death

A former Salisbury University student is celebrating Mother's Day a little differently this year. After Will Tucker's mother suddenly passed away just two months ago, the former student decided to turn his tragedy into triumph by bringing awareness to the rare disease that took her life one state at a time.

"This is obviously our first day on Mother's Day without our mom. Myself, my little brother, and my stepdad, and to be able to make it just something bigger than ourselves has been amazing," said Tucker.

Meet Will, otherwise known as Biker Bill, and his best friend McKenzie. This dedicated duo has been traveling across the country bringing awareness to a disease that took the life of Will's mom all too soon.

"My mom passed away about two months ago from a really rare lung disease called acute interstitial pneumonitis which is just a rare form of pneumonia and it just progressed super fast ," said Tucker.

After his moms passing, the former Salisbury University student packed up his gear and his dog, and traveled more than 1,000 miles from Minnesota to Maryland to honor his mother, and raise money to find a cure for this rare disease.

"Our journey, myself and Mackenzie's started here in Salisbury, so it's been nice to be able to come back here and bring her back to her hometown and her home area and driving over the bay bridge and just kind of entering into the Delmarva area is just kind of feels like you're taking it full circle. It just blew my mind this in 2018 we had no cure for certain pneumonia's and nobody knows what this type is and doctors don't know where it comes from. There is no treatment there's no cure," said Tucker.

 In Just 10 days, Tucker has raised more than $10,000 for the life threatening disease, and he says he's blown away by the love and support he's received over this past week.

"It's just been incredible. How many people have supported myself and Mackenzie and this cause… I can't put it into words," said Tucker.

And on this Mother's Day, Tucker knows he's making his mom proud.

"I know my moms up there just like jumping up and down with excitement on how far it's come and everything that I've done," said Tucker.

If you'd like to help and donate to Will's cause you can head to his website at https://breatheformom.com/.