Transplant Discussion Groups

Have you considered the benefits of finding a support group of others who also need transplants? Or maybe your child faces transplantation and you’d like to talk to other parents. Talking to others experiencing the same health crisis as you may really get you through a troubling time.

Visit these sites online to connect with other transplant candidates and recipients or transplant patients’ family members and friends:

• Transplant Buddies


• Transplant Cafe


• NFT on Facebook


• NFT on Twitter

30 Rock Actor Needs Kidney Transplant

According to a People.com article, 30 Rock actor Grizz Chapman needs a kidney transplant. He has been battling severe hypertension and recently learned a transplant is critical to his survival. Before he can be added to the transplant waiting list, he must lose 75 pounds to become a viable organ transplant recipient.

Chapman is facing a challenging and frightening health crisis that more than 105,000 Americans are also facing. Sadly, 18 people will die each day without receiving a second chance at life. This may seem like a startling number, but the truth is there is a national shortage of organ donors. Unless more people are willing to become organ donors, the number of patients waiting for lifesaving transplants will only increase day by day. In fact, a new name is added to the list every 11 minutes.

Like so many others, Chapman wants nothing more than to spend many more years with his friends and family, and he is ready for the fight of his life. "Whatever I can do for the longevity of my life, I'm going to do," he told People Magazine.

Please take the time to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor. You could truly save the life of someone suffering from a life-threatening illness. To accept the Transplant Challenge and become an organ donor, visit the NFT Transplant Challenge Web site. If you’d like to sign up to become a bone marrow donor, visit the Be the Match Registry.

December Patient of the Month: Ilene McBride

Ilene was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007, and has bravely endured aggressive treatments for her cancer. A bone marrow transplant is the only cure for this disease. Thankfully, her mother will serve as her donor as soon as Ilene is well enough to sustain the transplant surgery.

Though Ilene enjoyed a successful legal career, she found it didn't compare to the joys of motherhood. She and her husband, Tom, welcomed their first son in 2003, and Ilene gave up her career to become a full-time mother. Ilene and Tom enjoyed parenthood immensely, and their second son was born in early 2005. Unfortunately, he was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), commonly known as brittle bone disease. Within the first two months of his life, he suffered six fractures.

The McBride family coped well, despite the difficulties of their youngest son's life, and by 2006, they had settled into a comfortable routine. Soon, though, their lives were once again interrupted by unwanted news as Ilene received her diagnosis.

Although Ilene knows she faces a battle, she is determined to take on her sickness in the same way she has handled the rest of her life--with spirit, courage, hope and faith. She looks forward to the day she is cured, so she can continue on her quest of fundraising to help find a cure for her son's OI disorder.

To make a donation in honor of Ilene McBride, or any other NFT patient, please visit the NFT Web site.

Kiethen Taylor Chosen as an Honoree for This Year’s Donate Life Float

Kiethen was no ordinary 7-year-old boy. Of course, like all little boys, he loved running, climbing, jumping and riding bikes with his brothers. But young Kiethen also loved to help others, whether that meant doing the dishes or visiting with his neighbor who was mentally challenged.

Last September, while riding home from church, Kiethen and his family were in a car accident. While his family’s car sat at a standstill, a woman who had blacked out from an epileptic seizure collided with their car while going 80 miles per hour. Kiethen was killed instantly.

During this tragic time, Kiethen’s family knew he would want to continue helping others by donating his organs. “He always wanted to help. So we knew by giving the Gift of Life, Kiethen would be helping others in his death like he did in his short life. Why would you not?” explained his mother, Sharon.

According to the MidSouth Transplant Foundation, Kiethen will appear on the Donate Life Rose Parade float among other organ, eye and tissue donors who in their death, saved, healed and gave hope to thousands of people in need. Kiethen’s parents, Sharon and Kiethen, Sr. and his brothers Thomas and Curlandrius will fly from their home in Memphis, TN to Pasadena, CA to see Kiethen’s image transformed into one of 76 floragraphs that will adorn the Donate Life float in the 2010 Rose Parade.

Kiethen’s story is an inspirational one that may encourage others to become donors themselves. To learn more about becoming an organ donor, visit the Transplant Challenge Web site.

NFT Partners with Pugh’s Flowers

All of us at the National Foundation for Transplants are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Pugh’s Flowers! Beginning today, you can choose from a variety of flower arrangements and balloon bouquets while supporting NFT.

Simply visit the NFT page on the Pugh’s Flowers Web site and choose an arrangement you’d like to send to someone special. Any option can be delivered worldwide, and $5 from every order will go directly to NFT.

We are so appreciative of Pugh’s commitment to helping NFT raise funds to assist the more than 1,000 transplant patients we serve throughout the country. For more information about Pugh’s Flowers, click here. For more information about NFT, click here.

Chase Community Giving

Chase is giving away $5 million to various charities, and we want YOU to help NFT become one of the lucky recipients.

If you have a Facebook account, visit the Chase Community Giving page, enter National Foundation for Transplants in the search bar and click Go. It’s that easy! Chase wants you to give your charity the recognition it deserves and needs with Chase Community Giving.

On December 11, Chase will give $25,000 to the 100 charities with the top votes! Please support NFT and help us become part of this generous giving program. For more information about NFT’s services to transplant patients across the country, click here.

November Transplant Birthdays

We are thrilled for the following patients who received lifesaving transplants last month!

• Lisa Wong Alano (bone marrow) at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance


• Ray Foster (liver) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital


• Jim Harrell (lung) at Emory University Hospital


• Bruce Lockwood (kidney) at Saint Mary's Hospital


• Rose Marburger (stem cell) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital


• Richard Morgan (kidney) at Tampa General Hospital


• Leland Scott (heart) at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami


• Kim Smith (kidney) at Cleveland Clinic


• Dru Stokrp (kidney) at Milton Hershey Medical Center

Pareto Fundraising's Festive Photo Contest

Help the National Foundation for Transplants by voting for the NFT patient photo in Pareto Fundraising’s Festive Photo Contest! NFT chose Nate Gunderson’s family photo to represent us in this exciting contest.

If you have a Facebook account, just follow this link, and click the photo of Nate and his family to cast your vote for NFT!


Voting will be open through Christmas Eve, and the winning charity will win $2,000 (AUD.) Please support the National Foundation for Transplants by voting as often as you can! To learn more about Pareto Fundraising, click here. For more information about NFT and how we offer fundraising guidance and support to transplants patients in the U.S., click here.

Shop to Save Lives!

Do you love shopping for the holidays, but dread the crowds? We have the answer for you!

The holiday season is here , and we hope you will consider supporting the National Foundation for Transplants as you are shopping for your loved ones. By using GoodSearch and GoodShop, you can raise funds for NFT and help a transplant patient receive the greatest gift of all—a second chance at life.

When shopping through GoodShop, stores such as eBay, Amazon, Crate & Barrel, Nike, Target, Kohl's and many more donate a percentage of their profits to the charity of your choice! Some stores donate as much as 30% of the sale price. Simply visit GoodShop.com, enter National Foundation for Transplants as your designated charity, and start shopping. It’s that easy!

Not sure what you want to get for that one person who is always so tough to shop for? Try searching the Internet using GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo! powered search engine, while supporting NFT. Designate NFT as the charity you support, and for every search through GoodSearch, a donation will be made to your cause.

It’s so simple to raise funds for NFT to help patients receive lifesaving transplants. With a quick search, you are offering someone a hope for a new life. Tell your family and friends so they can shop from home and support NFT with the click of a mouse!

Extreme Makeover Helps Bone Marrow Transplant Patient

Recently, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition featured bone marrow transplant recipient, Joey Stott, a 34-year-old wife and mother. Even though Joey had health insurance when she was treated for leukemia in 2004, she is still paying off $40,000 in uninsured medical bills from her lifesaving marrow transplant. “I didn’t think about the medical bills while in the hospital and my husband didn’t either, but there was a lot to think about when I got home,” said Joey.

Joey found her donor match through the Be the Match registry, after none of her family members were a match for her bone marrow transplant. She also received help through the Be the Match Patient Assistance Program.

Are you a bone marrow donor? For more information about becoming a bone marrow donor, click here.

October Transplant Birthdays

Happy birthday to the NFT patients who received their lifesaving transplants last month! We wish them all well as they are recovering.

• Godson Alia (kidney) at Georgetown University Hospital


• Cathy Brindos (lung) at University of California San Francisco


• Patricia Ellsworth (heart) at University of Washington Medical Center


• Sandy Morris (bone marrow) at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance


• Joel Perry (liver) at Mayo Clinic in Florida


• Raymond Trowbridge (liver) at Integris Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute

If you would like to make a donation in honor of one of these patients, or any NFT patient, click here to make a gift.

November is National Marrow Awareness Month

Are you awaiting a bone marrow transplant? Did you know November is National Marrow Awareness Month? This may be the perfect time to plan a bone marrow drive! To plan a drive, simply call your local bone marrow recruitment center, and they will walk you through the process. Click here to find a recruitment center in your area.

Seventy percent of bone marrow patients do not have a matched donor in their family. They depend on the Be The Match Registry to find an unrelated donor. Encourage people to become a bone marrow donor today!

November Patient of the Month: Kourtney Najjar

Seven-year-old Kourtney has been sick since she was born. When she was only 14 months old, she was diagnosed with neurogenic pseudo obstruction, also known as intestinal failure. As a result of her illness, she has spent more time in the hospital than at home. Doctors say an intestinal/pancreas transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life. Kourtney is on the transplant waiting list at UCLA Medical Center.

Kourtney just wants to enjoy life and be a normal kid. She would like to be healthy enough to visit Disneyland and swim in the ocean. Kourtney looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to enjoy time with her family and her service dog, Mikey. But she needs your help.

The cost of an intestinal/pancreas transplant can exceed $1 million. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Kourtney's family faces significant medical expenses related to her transplant. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month--and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

To make a donation to NFT in honor of Kourtney, click here. To learn more about NFT and the patients we serve, visit the NFT Web site.

How Your Gift to NFT Can Help

Consider the impact your gift can have when you make a contribution to NFT. More than 104,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants. Your gift can help!

What your gift can do:
$35 can provide nutritional supplements for a patient
$50 can pay for one prescription co-pay
$85 can provide one night’s housing when a patient must seek medical care away from home
$100 can pay for oxygen for a lung transplant patient on the waiting list
$500 can cover one anti-rejection medication co-pay following transplant
$700 can pay for a patient’s insurance premium for one month
$1,500 can pay for an ultrasound co-pay for a bone marrow transplant patient

Baby Hannah Loses Hearing Because of Post-Transplant Meds

Hannah Bhagwandeen, a patient we first told you about in June, now faces a new challenge. Hannah, who will turn 2 in December, has already undergone two liver transplants. In order for the transplanted liver to remain active and healthy, Hannah must take anti-rejection medications daily. Sadly, these medications have caused young Hannah to lose hearing in both ears.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Hannah suffered from biliary atresia, a very rare liver condition affecting one in 20,000 children. The Bhagwandeen family was forced to move to the U.S. on a medical visa because doctors in their native country did not have the capabilities to treat her condition. Doctors believe a cochlear implant, a surgically implanted electronic device, will allow Hannah to regain hearing in both ears. The Bhagwandeen family knows this surgery is necessary, but they do not have the funds to pay for it, nor do they have volunteers to help with a fundraising campaign.

The average cost for the entire procedure, including the post-operative aural rehabilitation process, exceeds $140,000. While some organizations offer services to assist with these expenses, Hannah is ineligible for assistance because she is not a U.S. citizen. Hannah’s family is also facing significant expenses related to her transplants. A liver transplant costs approximately $520,000. For the rest of her life, Hannah will need follow-up care and vital anti-rejection medications, which can cost $2,000 to $5,000 per month. As of June, the Bhagwandeens owed $1 million for physicians’ fees, hospital costs, medications, labs, follow-up care, her feeding pump and more.

To make a donation to NFT to help Hannah’s family with these soaring medical expenses, click here.

Do you live in the Baltimore area and want to help Hannah’s family? To become a volunteer, please call Lauren Wilmer at NFT at 1-800-489-3863.

Mississippi Grandmother Waiting for Liver Transplant

NFT patient Cindy Franklin need a liver transplant to survive. Last year, this Mississippi resident was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic liver disease. Her brother, David, died from the disease the same year Cindy was diagnosed. Doctors say a liver transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

This mother and grandmother is a survivor and is determined to fight her disease so she can spend many more years with her family. Cindy hopes to have her health restored so she can return to the activities she enjoys, like working with the children's ministry at church and singing in a gospel group. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to spend more time with her family and watch her three young grandchildren grow up.

To learn more about Cindy’s battle against Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, read this article from her hometown newspaper, The Clinton News.

To make a donation to NFT in honor of Cindy Franklin, click here.

Cleveland Clinic Sets Lung Transplant Record

Last week, the Cleveland Clinic set the world record for the number of lung transplants performed in a single year with their 129th lung transplant. The previous record was set in 2007 when the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center performed 128 lung transplants. Cleveland Clinic expects to perform at least a total of 160 lung transplants by the end of the year.

"It's not about the numbers," Dr. Marie Budev, medical director of the Clinic's Lung Transplantation Program, said by phone Thursday afternoon. "It's about the patients. And we're learning more and more about what you can do for these patients. We're learning that these patients that were deemed high risk can actually do very well."

To read the full article about this significant accomplishment in transplantation, click here.

To become an organ donor to help the more than 104,000 people waiting on a lifesaving transplant, accept the Transplant Challenge!

Three Rivers: What do you think?

Have you watched Three Rivers, the new transplant-related medical drama on CBS? If so, what do you think about it? While NFT is thrilled about the show’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, there are certainly some unrealistic aspects. Overall, NFT hopes Three Rivers continues to shed some light on the world of transplantation so more people understand how challenging, expensive and scary it can be. The producers of Three Rivers work with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to verify facts and statistics, which means that information should be current and accurate for all the viewers at home.

Let’s discuss some questions we’ve heard from Three Rivers viewers:

Does everyone get a new organ so quickly?
The short answer is no. The doctors on Three Rivers only have a one-hour time span in which they can transplant their patients, but that’s not true in the real world. The reality is that even though some patients are fortunate enough to be transplanted quickly, many patients wait for months—even years—before receiving a lifesaving organ.

How many people are waiting on a transplant in the U.S.?
Currently, more than 104,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants, and a new name is added to the list every 11 minutes. Sadly, there is a national shortage of organ donors, and 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough donors. Last year, only about 25% of the patients waiting received a transplant.

To become an organ donor, take the NFT Transplant Challenge!

Will insurance pay for everyone who needs a transplant?
Not necessarily. Even if someone has “good” insurance that covers transplant surgery, they may not be prepared for the enormous costs related to post-transplant medications and follow-up care, which will continue for the rest of their lives. Post-transplant medications can cost as much as $5,000 per month and can lead to a lifetime of financial worry. NFT encourages all transplant patients to strongly consider fundraising to help with their transplant-related medical expenses.

For more information about organ donation and transplantation costs, visit NFT's FAQ page.

October Patient of the Month: Sue Spinosi

In 2006, Sue was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease due to diabetes, although her doctor suspects she may have gone undiagnosed for more than 12 years. Doctors say a kidney transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life. She is undergoing evaluations at Allegheny General Hospital and will soon be added to the transplant waiting list. Several family members are being tested to see if any are donor matches.

Despite her health problems, Sue is optimistic about the future. She looks forward to receiving her lifesaving transplant so she can spend more time with her family and have more energy to play with her young grandchildren. But she needs your help.

Sue’s family has been incredibly supportive during this difficult time. In fact, her father will be running in two marathons within three weeks in her honor! Sue’s father, Jim, has been an avid runner and triathlete since 1990. Jim didn’t let a heart attack or coronary artery bypass surgery stop him from running, and now he wants to help his daughter overcome her own health battle! As the co-chair of a fundraising committee, “Running 2 For Sue,” Jim hopes to raise awareness and funds for Sue with his upcoming races.

To read more about Sue or to make a donation to NFT in her honor, please visit her Web bio on the NFT Web site.

September Transplants

We are so happy for our patients who received lifesaving transplants in September! NFT wishes them well in their recovery and will continue to guide them as they raise funds to help with medical expenses.

• Faye Atchley (lung) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Kendra Bodison (heart) at Medical University of South Carolina
• Nathaniel Egerton (liver) at Tampa General Hospital
• Frank Fournier (liver) at Florida Hospital
• Matthew Goodman (kidney/pancreas) at Duke University Medical Center
• Justin Hopper (kidney) at Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
  
• Ellen Lemons (kidney/pancreas) at University of Virginia Health System
• Lynn Macdonald (bone marrow) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Chris Robinson (lung) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Bill Seay (heart) at Mayo Clinic in Florida
• Linda Shumaker (liver) at Integris Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute
• Marcos Tijerina (kidney) at Memorial Hermann Transplant Center
  

Vote in GQ's Better Men Better World Search!

Support the National Kidney Foundation and promote the importance of organ donation by voting for John Piano in GQ's Better Men Better World contest!

John, the president and CEO of Transplant Connect, has dedicated the last six years of his life to save and improve lives through organ, tissue and eye transplantation. He’s not a surgeon or healthcare administrator or politician. Instead, he’s a creative entrepreneur who has built modernized electronic medical records software for the transplant field.

GQ will honor the winner, chosen by voters like YOU, with $10,000 to donate to his favorite charity. John plans to donate his prize to the National Kidney Foundation. Please vote for John to help spread the word about the critical need for organ donors in the United States while supporting the National Kidney Foundation.

To vote, click here: GQ Better Men Better World. Accept the Transplant Challenge to become an organ donor today!

Methodist Institute Reaches Transplant Milestone

Congratulations to the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute for reaching a milestone in transplantation! The Methodist Transplant Institute, along with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, performed its 1,000th liver transplant Monday, September 28. Only 33 liver transplant programs in the U.S. have reached this milestone, out of a total of 126 liver programs in the country.

We greatly appreciate the work of the Methodist Transplant Institute and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as they serve those awaiting lifesaving transplants in the Mid-South. With nearly 104,000 people waiting for transplants in the U.S., these surgeons are offering hope to so many people in need of a second chance at life.

To read more about this exciting accomplishment, read this article from the Memphis Business Journal.

Terri McCrae and Her Fight Against Diabetes

Terri has been battling diabetes since she was just 11 years old. She struggled with the illness for years and even went into a coma for a time when she was in high school. By the time Terri was in her late 20s, her kidney function had declined to the point where she needed dialysis. Once she began dialysis, her diabetes became uncontrollable. After she was found unresponsive in her home, Terri was admitted to a nursing home because she required constant care and observation.

In 1995, she finally received a kidney and pancreas transplant. After a year of rehabilitation, she was able to move into an apartment and regain her independence. Terri was grateful for her new lease on life and graduated from nursing school in 2000. For the next eight years, she worked as a nurse and loved her job very much. However, her diabetes once again became hard to control. She is now unable to work and has been hospitalized four times since January. Doctors say a second pancreas transplant is her only hope.

Despite her struggles, Terri has high hopes for the future, but she needs your help! A pancreas transplant costs approximately $275,000. Sadly, that's only the beginning of the soaring medical expenses. To learn more about Terri or to make a donation to NFT in her honor, please visit Terri McCrae's Web bio.

Frequently Asked Questions about NFT

How does NFT work?
NFT helps establish fundraising campaigns in patient communities. Our trained fundraising consultants work with each campaign to develop personalized fundraising goals and tailored methods to raise funds. NFT also writes personalized appeal letters and works with the media to raise awareness in the community about the patient's needs.

Funds raised are placed in a specified NFT state organ/tissue fund, and NFT tracks donations made in honor of specific patients. NFT then uses the funds to pay for transplant-related expenses. NFT's fundraising campaigns have generated nearly $56 million to assist patients during their transplant journey, and NFT assists more than 1,000 patients.

What expenses will NFT cover?
NFT can help with transplant costs; hospital bills and deposits; co-pays; doctors' appointments; medications; caregiver expenses; insurance premiums, temporary mortgage assistance following the transplant; travel, food and lodging expenses; and more.

My insurance company will cover the transplant. Do I need fundraising assistance?
The transplant itself may be covered; however, the high costs of daily post-transplant medications and unforeseen complications often become very overwhelming for patients. Some insurance policies won't cover bone marrow donor searches -- which can be very expensive -- and others have an inadequate lifetime maximum for coverage that will quickly be exhausted. Many patients must also travel far distances to their transplant centers, which can result in significant travel and lodging expenses.

Transplant recipients require a lifetime of follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications, which can cost as much as $5,000 per month. Most patients require many prescriptions every day. Even with insurance, the co-pays for multiple medications will add up quickly. Some insurance policies won't cover anti-rejection prescriptions at all or will only cover them for a specified period of time.

I already had a transplant. Can NFT help me?
Absolutely! While the best time to fundraise is before transplant, NFT can help patients at any stage. It's easier to communicate the need, gather momentum and maintain enthusiasm among volunteers and donors if fundraising activities begin prior to the transplant. However, many campaigns continue to fundraise post-transplant, and others don't begin fundraising until after transplant.

Are You a Bone Marrow Donor?

As this CNN article explains, "For minorities, the wait for a bone marrow match can be long." While there are 7 million registered bone marrow donors on the Be The Match Registry, the percentage of minorities who have registered is very small. In fact, Hispanic donors account for only 9% of the millions registered.

While all transplant success rates increase when patients find donors with similar ethnic backgrounds, that component is even more vital to increase the success rate for bone marrow transplants.

For patients like Melissa Delgado, who is of Puerto Rican descent, the wait can be especially long. She has been trying unsuccessfully to find a bone marrow match for six years. It is crucial for minorities to join the bone marrow registry so more lives can be saved.

Astellas Ride of a Lifetime

Congratulations to the winners of the Astellas Ride of a Lifetime contest! The five winners were chosen after submitting essays about their transplantation experience. All five contest winners, who received lifesaving transplants, will travel to Pasadena, CA and ride aboard the Donate Life float in the 2010 Rose Parade!

To see the list of winners and read a little about them, click here.

Congratulations again to all of the winners, and thank you to Astellas for offering such a wonderful opportunity to transplant recipients!

Visit TransplantExperience.com to learn more about how Astellas helps transplant patients.

Use GoodSearch to Support NFT!

As you may already know, GoodSearch is a very easy search engine, like Google or Yahoo, that donates money to your designated charity each time you search. Now they have made it even easier to raise money for your favorite cause! Visit GoodSearch.com to register and select NFT to benefit from your online searches!

By downloading this GoodSearch toolbar, its search functions are easily accessible within your Web browser anytime you're online!

To download this toolbar to begin raising funds for NFT, click here.

September Patient of the Month: Chad Freckleton

NFT patient Chad Freckleton began experience health problems not long after he and his wife, Marcie, graduated from college. In July 2005, Chad was diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis of the liver. Doctors don’t know what caused the disease. The same month Chad was diagnosed, he and his wife learned they were expecting their first child.

Chad’s health began to decline after his diagnosis as he dealt with many side effects. He underwent several endoscopies to help prevent esophageal bleeding, endured internal itching because of the bilirubin in his blood and no longer had enough energy to participate in his normal activities. Doctors said a liver transplant was his only hope for a second chance at life. Thankfully, Chad received his lifesaving transplant June 30, 2009 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Chad looks forward to recovering from his transplant and having the energy to enjoy time with his friends and family. He and his wife would like nothing more than to grow old together and watch their young daughter grow up.

Can you help Chad and his family with their soaring medical expenses? If you would like to make a donation to NFT in honor of Chad, click here.

August Transplant Birthdays

We're so excited for the NFT patients who received lifesaving transplants last month! We wish them the best in their recovery and healing.

• Calvin Anderson (kidney) at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
• Gail Breedlove (bone marrow) at University of California San Francisco
• Ralph Coleman (liver) at University of Virginia Health System
• Elvis Gregory (bone marrow) at University of Kansas Medical Center
• Nancy Grinstead (liver) at Duke University Medical Center
• Sandra Johnson (liver) at Duke University Medical Center
• Dominick Just (lung) at Temple University Hospital
• Clark Kimble (liver) at University of Utah Health Care
• Victor Kish (kidney) at Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Center
• Lishan Knowles (kidney) at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• David Lamb (liver) at Integris Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute
• Angel Smith (lung) at Emory University Hospital
• Shawnice Williams (kidney) at Mayo Clinic in Florida

Hurricane Katrina Survivor Needs Kidney Transplant

Joyce Russ has lived a life of turmoil for the past four years. In 2005, Joyce, like many others, was uprooted due to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Joyce, a native of New Orleans, was forced to evacuate her home and found refuge in Lake Charles with her husband of 46 years.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Joyce and her husband, both retired teachers, were again forced to evacuate the Lake Charles area because of Hurricane Rita. After settling in Georgia, Joyce was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. Doctors say a kidney transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Joyce faces significant medical expenses. But despite her struggles, Joyce has high hopes for the future. She recently returned to New Orleans with her husband and one of her daughters and is thankful to be back in her hometown. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to once again participate in her favorite activities, like gardening, cooking and traveling.

To learn more about Joyce, read her bio on the NFT site. To make a donation to help with her soaring medical expenses, click here.

Memphis Church a Dedicated Donor

Everyone at the National Foundation for Transplants is so grateful to our dedicated supporters and donors throughout the Memphis area and across the country. We would like to give a special thank you to White Stone Missionary Baptist Church, whose congregation has been a devoted donor to NFT since 1996!

This generous group began supporting the mission of NFT to honor a church member who passed away after battling angiosclerosis, a condition in which the walls of blood vessels harden. Over the years, they have continued to support NFT, along with a handful of nonprofit organizations in the Memphis community.

Our kind donors are so greatly appreciated, and we want thank the members of White Stone Missionary Baptist Church for their steadfast support.

Domino Liver Transplant at Emory University Hospital

Surgeons at Emory University Hospital performed a very rare domino liver transplant in July. This procedure is so rare that only about 100 have taken place in the United States.

During a domino liver transplant, doctors take the first liver from a deceased donor and transplant it into a recipient. That recipient's liver then is transplanted into a second recipient. The patients, a 24-year-old battling Maple Syrup Urine Disease and a 53-year-old suffering from HIV and Hepatitis C contracted from a blood transfusion in the 1980's, are recovering in an Atlanta hospital.

For the entire story, please visit the WSB News Atlanta Web site.

NFT Patients Who Received Transplants in July

We are so happy for our patients who received lifesaving transplants last month!

• Steve Colantoni (heart) at Duke University Medical Center
  
• Cynthia Curtis (double lung) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Jaden Dhaliwal (bone marrow) at Duke University Medical Center
• Russell Ford (heart) at University of North Carolina Hospital
• Nate Gunderson (heart) at Sacred Heart Medical Center
• Brenda Hall (kidney) at Methodist University Hospital
• Albert Jafolla (kidney) at Florida Hospital
• Gary Johnston (liver) at University of Kansas Hospital
• Rajinder Kaur (kidney) at University of Utah Health Care
• Juan Lasalle (liver) at Methodist University Hospital
• Barbara Panell (lung) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  

NFT in Australia for World Transplant Games!

Brian Barndt began fundraising with NFT in 2005. After receiving a heart transplant in July of 2005, he has gone on to lead an active life as a teaching professional for total immersion swimming. Read Brian’s post below about his upcoming participation in the 2009 World Transplant Games in Brisbane, Australia. You can also learn more about Brian by visiting his blog, “Heart2Swim.”

Well, the title is partially true. I am in the Gold Coast with Team USA to swim in the World Transplant Games against the best transplant athletes in the world. However, I would not be in this position without the support of NFT in my life, both pre and post-transplant. NFT’s impact continues to this day.

As my family began the process of waiting for the phone call that could save my life in June 2005, we had to decide how to raise enough money to not only pay for my surgery and recovery, but also the years of expenses to follow. This was an arduous task, considering I was dying from heart failure after living with cardiomyopathy for 15 long years. NFT offered me wise counsel and great resources to set and reach our goal of $35,000. We were fortunate to have Connie Gonitzke as our advisor/coach during the fundraising. We met the goal!

Now, after four years of good health, I have been blessed to swim for Team NC at the 2006 & 2008 U.S. Transplant Games, winning seven gold medals and setting four American records. This year, I have the honor of representing Team USA as an elite transplant athlete, swimming with transplant recipients from 50 different countries. I will compete in five individual events: 50 & 100 meter backstroke, 50 & 100 meter breaststroke, 400 meter freestyle, as well as both the men's medley and freestyle relays!

I will compete in Brisbane, Australia on August 26 and 27. As I ponder this upcoming experience, I am humbled to be in this situation. There were many dark and frightening days during my illness, when my wife and two daughters were not sure if I would survive much longer. Therefore, I am filled with gratitude for the countless people who helped lift me to a position where I can strive for a gold medal at the World Games. NFT has played a pivotal role in making this dream a reality.

Swimming for life,

Brian Barndt
Visit Brian’s blog at http://www.heart2swim.com/ for updates during the World Transplant Games!

Patient of the Month: Jaden Dhaliwal

Little 6-year-old Jaden was diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) when he was just 23 months old. After suffering from persistent fevers that would not go away, doctors discovered he had this rare disease, which only affects 25,000 people worldwide. To boost his immunity, Jaden had to take medication every day and shots three times each week.

Doctors knew a bone marrow transplant was the only treatment that could cure young Jaden. In July, Jaden underwent a bone marrow transplant for which his sister Gia was donor. His father also donated platelets as part of the transplantation process.

Jaden is so excited about his transplant, which will allow him to play like the other children his age. Jaden could not visit zoos, go hiking, play outside or take camping trips because of the many things that could make him ill.

Although Jaden and his family and grateful for this opportunity, they know there is still a difficult journey ahead. A bone marrow transplant costs approximately $675,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Jaden's family faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant. The Dhaliwal family lives 3,000 miles away from the transplant center at Duke University Medical Center. They will need significant help with travel, food and lodging, especially because his father was out of work for six weeks after donating platelets for the transplant.

Can you help Jaden and his family with these soaring medical expenses? To make a donation to NFT in Jaden Dhaliwal’s honor, click here.

Minority Donor Awareness Day

AUGUST 1 is National Minority Donor Awareness Day! This observance is designed to increase awareness for the need of organ and tissue donors, especially among minority groups. Did you know that in 2008, only 14% of all donors were African-American, and just over 13% were Hispanic? Less than 3% of all donors in 2008 were Asian.

According to UNOS, some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations. For example, African-Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics are three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Caucasians. Native Americans are four times more likely than Caucasians to suffer from diabetes.

Successful transplantation often is enhanced by the matching of organs between members of the same ethnic and racial group. Therefore, a shortage of organs donated by minorities can contribute to death and longer waiting periods for minorities waiting for transplants.

To become an organ donor today, visit www.transplants.org and click on the Transplant Challenge logo.

Successful Fundraiser for Bone Marrow Transplant Patient!

Melissa Delgado, 23, has been searching for a bone marrow donor match for six years. Due to the shortage of organ donors among the Hispanic population, she has been unable to find a match. After being diagnosed with leukemia in 2003, doctors told her a bone marrow transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

While waiting for a match to be found, Melissa is still battling this illness every day. The costs of medications, doctors’ visits, insurance co-pays and donor searches continue to soar. To help with the growing expenses, Maria DeFrancesco decided to find a way to help.

Maria, who only recently met Melissa, connected with Melissa through NFT. In May, Maria planned a cocktail dinner, including dancing, a raffle and entertainment, to raise money for Melissa’s fundraising campaign with NFT. Overall, this event raised more than $8,000 in honor of Melissa! We are so excited for Melissa, and we're thankful for her wonderful support system of volunteers.

This month, Maria and her boyfriend, Neal, held a benefit concert at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn. The concert, which featured a lineup of “buskers” (people who play music, dance or perform publicly, such as in the subways and parks of NYC), also benefited Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. Proceeds from a raffle featuring music-realted items benefited NFT in honor of Melissa.

Neal told NFT, “I was so inspired by the fundraiser that Maria put together, and by Melissa and her beautiful circle of family and friends that I decided to dedicate a part of this event to her as well.”

National Minority Donor Awareness day is coming up soon, and NFT wants to raise awareness about the vast shortage of minority organ and tissue donors in the United States. Learn more about the need for minority donors by visiting the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program Web site.

Transplant Challenge a Finalist for Health Care Heroes awards!

We are thrilled to announce that the Transplant Challenge has been selected as a finalist for the Memphis Business Journal's 2009 Health Care Heroes awards! We've been nominated for the category of Community Outreach, and the winners will be announced during a dinner on Sept. 1.

NFT launched the Transplant Challenge in April 2009 to raise awareness about the critical shortage of organ donors and to encourage individuals to register with their state donor registry. Through community events, social media, printed materials and word of mouth, NFT has reached more than 60,000 individuals with our message about this important health issue.

We are currently planning a campus challenge for the fall, where we will reach out to college students in and around the Memphis area.

Are you an organ donor? Accept the Transplant Challenge today!

Cirrhosis Support Group

When battling a serious illness or watching a loved one suffer, support from others who have experienced the same thing can provide comfort and relief. At NFT, we encourage our patients to find support from groups at their transplant centers, within their communities or online.

We all know about the great benefits the Internet offers, but yet another benefit is the availability of support groups and resources. MDJunction.com has created a support group specifically for those suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.

Join this support group to connect with others, read informative articles, find answers to your questions and much more. Finding an outlet to voice your fears or to offer assistance and advice to others can provide an environment to ensure you keep a positive outlook for the future.

NFT Patient Nate Gunderson Receives Heart Transplant

NFT patient Nate Gunderson, a 31-year-old Washington resident, was always a healthy, active man. One morning in April, Nate awoke with a migraine. After four days of migraines, fevers and body aches, he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. Another procedure showed a cluster of bacteria around his heart that was affecting every organ of his body and causing mini-strokes.

Although Nate suffered from a heart murmur since birth, it was not until the onset of this infection that doctors discovered the bacteria around his heart had eaten a hole through one of his heart valves. With every heartbeat, 50 percent of the blood was falling back into the heart chamber. Just a few days later, Nate endured three hours of surgery while his heart valve was replaced with a St. Jude’s valve. Sadly a week later, things took a turn for the worse when doctors discovered a massive sac of fluid surrounding his heart.

Doctors told Nate a heart transplant was his only hope for a second chance at life. Fortunately, with his wife Genevieve by his side every step of the way, Nate received his lifesaving heart transplant July 5. Nate looks forward to his new life post-transplant so he can return home to spend time with his young daughter, Mikaela, and return to his active lifestyle.

If you can help Nate and his family with the soaring medical expenses they are facing, click here to make a donation to NFT in his honor. A heart transplant costs more than $750,000. And that’s only the beginning. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Visit NFT’s Web site to learn more about Nate.

L'Oreal Women of Worth

“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.”
~Author Unknown

Do you know a woman who is performing an outstanding service in your community? If so, L’Oreal Paris wants to hear about it! The July 23 deadline for their annual “Women of Worth” awards is quickly approaching. Once the winners are chosen, Women of Worth will be invited to participate in an array of National conferences on volunteerism, post volunteer tips and essays on the Women of Worth Community website, participate in key media events including photo shoots, commercial shoots and promotional videos, and much more.

Visit the L’Oreal Women of Worth Web site to learn more about how to nominate a volunteer who is doing great work near you!

Maryland Doctors Set Kidney Transplant Record

Associated Press
July 7, 2009

BALTIMORE - A Maryland hospital surgeon is saying he and doctors in three other hospitals have completed what is believed to be the largest series of kidney paired donation procedures ever undertaken.

Dr. Robert Montgomery of Johns Hopkins Hospital, along with donors and recipients, will give details of the groundbreaking feat during a news conference Tuesday in the hospital's outpatient center.

A hospital official says 10 doctors performed a total of 16 surgeries on eight donors and eight recipients in the multi-hospital, multistate kidney donation network.

In April 2008, Johns Hopkins surgeons transplanted a half-dozen kidneys simultaneously, which was believed to be the first operation of its kind.

Words from a Scleroderma Patient...

Victoria Chavez began working with NFT to fundraise in January of 2008 and has truly been an inspiration to us all. After receiving a stem cell transplant last summer, she has spent a great deal of time reaching out to other patients battling Scleroderma and Pulmonary Fibrosis. Read Victoria’s story below to see how she is helping others cope with their illnesses and focus on the positive in life. You can also learn more about Victoria by visiting her personal blog “Victoria’s Miracle: Diary of a Stem Cell Transplant.

No one would know it from looking at me, but a year ago I was dying. With the help of the National Foundation for Transplants, I was able to raise enough money to undergo a lifesaving stem cell transplant, which put my Scleroderma and Pulmonary Fibrosis in remission. Today I'm off oxygen, most of my tests are all in the normal range, I walk eight blocks a day and feel better than ever! Now it's my turn to give back.

Before the transplant, I was homebound for five years, too sick to leave the house and requiring supplemental oxygen around the clock because of the Pulmonary Fibrosis. If I hadn't gotten my transplant, I would have gradually suffocated to death as the Fibrosis spread in my lungs. While going through the grueling post-transplant recovery, I had an epiphany...I decided that when I got better my calling would be to help others who are suffering the same fate I was handed.

Recently I have had several opportunities to make my goal come true. First, I was asked to speak at the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Conference, where I told my story to others—patients and health care professionals alike—where many people told me that I was an inspiration to them. Second, I am going to travel to the National Scleroderma Conference in a couple of weeks as a representative of the Scleroderma Foundation. Third, I am currently training to become a Scleroderma Foundation Support Group Leader, so that I can continue to tell others like me that there is ALWAYS hope, and positive thinking is key to surviving chronic and sometimes fatal diseases.

Thank you, NFT, for all of your help. I will be forever grateful.

Victoria Chavez
Scleroderma Patient

NFT Patients Who Received Transplants in June

It is always so wonderful to hear that one of our patients has received a lifesaving transplant! We wish a healthy recovery to all of the NFT patients who received transplants last month.

• Alexandra DiDomizio (bone marrow) at Rush University Medical Center
  
• Chad Freckleton (liver) at University of Utah, Salt Lake City


• Bobby Pollard (bone marrow) at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
  
• Jeremy Powell (double lung) at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  
• Tracy Smith (bone marrow) at Moffitt Cancer Center

To learn more about the National Foundation for Transplants and how we can help you or a loved one fundraise for transplant-related expenses, please visit our Web site or e-mail us at info@transplants.org.

July Patient of the Month: Matthew Clark

While attending a college football game with some friends in the fall of 2008, Matthew Clark began experiencing breathing problems. A week later tests revealed a virus had attacked his heart, and he was suffering from congestive heart failure.

Doctors told Matthew a heart transplant is his only hope for a second chance at life. This father of four boys loves spending time with his children, whether he is coaching T-ball or playing video games. His faith, along with his strong desire to see his boys grow up, keeps him positive and focused on each new day.

A heart transplant costs approximately $750,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Matthew faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications.

Can you help Matthew and his family with his soaring medical expenses? To make a donation to NFT to assist Matthew with his transplant-related expenses, please visit his Web page on the NFT site.

Astellas Ride of a Lifetime Contest

It’s time to submit entries for the 5th annual Astellas Ride of a Lifetime contest! Five transplant recipients will win a five-night trip for two to California to ride on the Donate Life float during the Rose Parade on January 1, 2010.

The contest is limited to liver, kidney and heart recipients currently taking Prograf. Entrants must be at least 13 years old. One winner per geographical region (Northeast, Southeast, Mid-America, Great Lakes and Western) will be selected.

To enter, recipients must submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing how their lives were transformed by transplantation. All entries must be accompanied by a photo of the entrant. For more information, or to submit your essay online, please visit the Astellas Ride of a Lifetime Web site.

Deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2009.

Astellas' Transplant Experience

Astellas, the manufacturer of Prograf, has created a Web site especially for kidney, heart and liver transplant patients. This Transplant Experience Web site has specialized pages for each type of patient offering advice on healthy living before and after transplantation, as well as a number of support resources.

According to the Web site, “Transplant Experience is a program that can help you get the most out of each day and help you be ready for what’s ahead.” If you are a kidney, heart or liver transplant patient, visit Transplant Experience and find tips to live a healthier, more active life throughout your transplant journey.

NFT Patient to Receive LVAD in July

NFT Patient, Lorna Jarms, needs a heart transplant to survive. After coming down with what she thought was a cold in 1998, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Although medications treated her illness for many years, thetreatment has recently become ineffective, and she must undergo a heart transplant.

While waiting on her transplant, she will rely on the assistance of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), which will act as a mechanical pump for her heart.

Read this article from the Cheney Free Press in Washington about Lorna and her experience waiting for this lifesaving procedure.

Letter from Daughter to Father

NFT patient Andy McGlauflin and his daughter are very close. Andy, a single father, considers Sarah “the light of his life,” and he hopes to spend many more years in her life. Below is an excerpt from a letter Sarah wrote to her father last year, while he was very ill in the hospital. Fortunately, Andy received his transplant this month, and is recovering well.


Hey Daddy,

In life, we fight to live, but live to die. I don’t quite understand it, but I have no need to question it. I figure, just let the good times roll as they come. Show me my lessons from my mistakes, reward me with laughter when I make the right choices and hinder me with tears when I need to be disciplined. Time in our bodies is limited, but our souls, if positive and maintained with good choices, will live forever.

You’re my best friend, my daddy, my own little angel.

I trust in God. I believe in what’s going on. My life has changed dramatically in the past 95 days, as has yours. But this life is so precious, too precious to give up on. If you’re strong enough to smile, then you’re strong enough to conquer anything. Love every minute of this life. I know it’s not exactly how we planned, but just trust and believe.

I’m scared of the transplant, but the only choice I have is to trust and believe…

I love you more than anything in the world. Don’t be scared. Take my hand. Trust and believe with me. You have a long way to go. God’s with you, and so am I.
Together, we can do this.

I love you,

Your little girl

St. Joseph Hospital in California Given Great Honor

The St. Joseph Hospital Kidney Transplant Center was recently named as an Anthem Blue Cross Center of Medical Excellence for Medical Transplantation. This honor is based on patient survival rates, patient education and safety initiatives, transplant programs' continuous quality improvement measures and four additional transplant program criteria.

According to data published by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, patients transplanted in the Southern California donation service area had a higher chance of getting a transplant quickly at St. Joseph Hospital than at nearly all of the other transplant centers in the service area. In addition, these patients required the shortest hospitalization after transplant in the state.

The St. Joseph Hospital Kidney Transplant Center has a history of tackling surgical and medical challenges, often accepting patients turned down by other centers. The transplant success and patient survival rates at St. Joseph Hospital, among the highest in the nation, are a testament to the expertise of our skilled surgeons and highly qualified staff.

Alexis Grace and NFT!

National Foundation for Transplants staff members attended the 13th Annual Gibson 5K to promote organ donation and the Transplant Challenge. While there, we were lucky enough to meet American Idol contestant and Memphian, Alexis Grace, whose father is in need of a heart transplant.

NFT Patients Who Received Transplants in May

We are thrilled for our patients who received lifesaving transplants last month!

• Marilyn Broach (lung) at Duke University Medical Center
• Dave Cabana (heart) at Duke University Medical Center
• Kenneth Caraballo (kidney) at Carolinas Medical Center
• Thomas Cassidy (lung) at Vanderbilt Medical Center
• Kathy Downey (liver) at University of Kansas Hospital
• Alice Myatt (kidney) at Duke University Medical Center
• Mikey Noble (kidney) at University of Colorado Hospital
• Herminia Sanchez (kidney) at Florida Hospital
• Michelle Wilkerson (bone marrow) at University of Chicago Hospital
• Lee Yon (kidney/pancreas) at Shands at the University of Florida

Although these patients have recently received their transplants, they still have a long road ahead of them financially. If you would like to make a donation in honor of an NFT patient, visit the National Foundation for Transplants Web site and search for a patient by clicking Patients We Help.

Successful Walk-a-Thon for NFT Patient!

Roy Glazer suffers from Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a rare and incurable kidney disease. Doctors have told him a kidney transplant is his only hope for a second chance at life.

Thankfully, Roy's wife, Ellyn, is a match and is eager to donate one of her own kidneys to save her husband's life. However, before Roy can be listed for a transplant, he must raise significant funds.

Last month, volunteers held a 3-mile Walk-a-Thon in Roy's honor. Despite some rainy weather, the attendance was exceptional and more than $19,000 was raised in Roy's honor! We'll have more updates soon!

Check out some photos from the event below, and be sure to check out our Facebook page for even more photos!

Garage Sale to Benefit Transplant Patient

Paula Crawford needs a liver transplant to save her life. Read the following article in her hometown newspaper, The Oklahoman.

Sale to help defray cost of transplant for Norman woman

To learn more about Paula or to make a donation in her honor, visit the National Foundation for Transplants Web site.

June Patient of the Month: Baby Hannah

Baby Hannah's family faces $1 million in medical fees because of her rare liver condition.

When she was born, Hannah was very jaundiced. However, doctors in Trinidad and Tobago told Hannah’s mother this was common, and she should simply walk her out in the sun. After two months, Hannah was still jaundiced, and her mother was insistent that something was truly ailing her little girl.

After multiple tests, Hannah was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a very rare liver condition affecting 1 in 20,000 children. Doctors told the new parents that a liver transplant was necessary for their child to survive. Her father donated a portion of his own liver for her first transplant in 2008. Soon after, Hannah began experiencing complications, and doctors discovered she had a blood clot. Within in the next month, she endured two additional surgeries because of clotting and a bile leak.

During the third surgery, doctors determined another liver transplant was necessary. Thankfully, she received her second liver transplant in March and is recovering well in Baltimore, where she and her mother have relocated to be near the transplant center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Despite Hannah’s difficult journey thus far, she is a happy baby whose smile can brighten anyone’s day.

A liver transplant costs approximately $520,000. And that’s only the beginning. Because there is no pediatric hepatologist or gastroenterologist in Trinidad and Tobago who can help Hannah, she must continue to receive treatment in the United States. Hannah’s family currently owes $1 million for physicians’ fees, hospital costs, medications, labs, follow-up care, her feeding pump and more.

Can you help little Hannah and her family? To donate, visit Hannah's page on the National Foundation for Transplants Web site.

13th Annual Gibson 5K Run/Walk

NFT is excited to join the festivities at this year’s Gibson 5K Run/Walk! Our Transplant Challenge team will be onsite in full force to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation!

With performances by Elmo & The Shades and a special appearance by American Idol’s Alexis Grace, we know this will be an exciting evening! We hope everyone can join in the fun by participating in this annual event, benefiting the St. Patrick Learning Center, and help save lives by registering to become an organ donor.

Did you know:

• 18 people die each day waiting for a liver transplant.
• Every 11 minutes another name is added to the transplant waiting list.
• 90% of Americans say they support organ donation, yet only 35% of licensed drivers or ID card holders have enrolled in a state registry.
• 1 organ donor can save 8 lives.

Former College Basketball Player Needs Help Post-Transplant

Fred "Pop" Bennett, an NFT patient, received a lifesaving liver transplant in March. Although his health is improving, he still needs financial help and is reaching out to his community. This former NCCU basketball star is very involved in his hometown of Durham, NC, and he hopes his community will rally around him during this time.

Read this story about Fred "Pop" Bennett from the The Durham News to learn more about Fred's need.

A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000, and that's just the beginning. Even with health insurance, Fred is facing significant expenses for a lifetime of follow-up care and vital anti-rejection medications that he must take daily for the rest of his life.

Visit Fred "Pop" Bennett's Web page to learn more and make a donation in his honor.