Transplant patients are dealing with very difficult physical, emotional and financial situations. As you might imagine, the financial burdens associated with transplantation often make celebrating the holidays impossible for families. For the past three years, generous families and groups have reached out to NFT asking if they could play Santa for a transplant patient and their family.
In 2008, NFT patient Wess Holston and his family were overwhelmed by the generosity of an anonymous donor family.
“May God bless the Denver family,” said Katrina, Wess’ wife. “There will be tears of joy this Christmas, not tears of guilt. There are no words to describe how much this means to us, and we thank this family and NFT for their help. Our children are going to have a great Christmas this year.”
If you would like to surprise an NFT patient by supporting them during the holiday season, please contact us at info@transplants.org.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Country Wedding Fundraiser
NFT patient Karen Ettinger needs a double-lung transplant to survive. Her twin brother, Kevin, wanted a way to help her raise funds for the lifesaving treatment. He owns a collection of antique wedding dresses and invited people to his home to see the collection, while raising funds in honor of NFT.
They raised nearly $6,000, and the event was such a huge success that they may hold a second one in the spring! A portion of the funds raised came from a raffle in which lucky winners received items such as a christening gown and a gift certificate from designer Alfred Angelo.
They raised nearly $6,000, and the event was such a huge success that they may hold a second one in the spring! A portion of the funds raised came from a raffle in which lucky winners received items such as a christening gown and a gift certificate from designer Alfred Angelo.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
National Donor Sabbath
This weekend, November 12--14, is recognized as the National Donor Sabbath.
National Donor Sabbath is part of an organ donation initiative launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1997. Observed on Friday through Sunday two weekends before Thanksgiving, the 3-day period seeks to include the days of worship of major religions practiced in the U.S.
Transplant professionals collaborate with faith communities to focus on the lifesaving gifts of organ, tissue and marrow donation. Faith leaders and congregations participate in services and events to increase awareness of donation and transplantation. Most major religions view organ and tissue donation as a compassionate and generous gift.
The need for donors increases each year. Currently, nearly 110,000 Americans are on the organ transplant waiting list. According to OrganDonor.gov, an average of 3,000 individuals at any given time are searching for an unrelated blood stem cell donor.
Those who donate organs, tissue, and blood stem cells restore hope and share gifts beyond measure. For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit the NFT website. Together, we can continue raising hope and changing lives.
National Donor Sabbath is part of an organ donation initiative launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1997. Observed on Friday through Sunday two weekends before Thanksgiving, the 3-day period seeks to include the days of worship of major religions practiced in the U.S.
Transplant professionals collaborate with faith communities to focus on the lifesaving gifts of organ, tissue and marrow donation. Faith leaders and congregations participate in services and events to increase awareness of donation and transplantation. Most major religions view organ and tissue donation as a compassionate and generous gift.
The need for donors increases each year. Currently, nearly 110,000 Americans are on the organ transplant waiting list. According to OrganDonor.gov, an average of 3,000 individuals at any given time are searching for an unrelated blood stem cell donor.
Those who donate organs, tissue, and blood stem cells restore hope and share gifts beyond measure. For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit the NFT website. Together, we can continue raising hope and changing lives.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Miracle Minute in Honor of Kevin Bolin
Volunteers for Kevin Bolin held a "miracle minute" fundraiser at a local high school football game last month.
Kevin's two brothers and sister went on the track after the first quarter of the football game, and the announcer read a speech while they held Kevin's picture. Volunteers passed buckets through the stands and raised more than $2,000!
Kevin's mother, brother and sister.
Kevin's two brothers and sister went on the track after the first quarter of the football game, and the announcer read a speech while they held Kevin's picture. Volunteers passed buckets through the stands and raised more than $2,000!
Kevin's mother, brother and sister.
Kevin's sister and brother.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Miami Transplant Institute Celebrates 40th Year
The following article is from Miami's CBS4.com.
This year the Miami Transplant Institute at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center is celebrating four decades of lifesaving organ and tissue transplants.
The program, regularly recognized for its excellence in clinical care and high success rates, was honored in 2010 for three of its transplantation programs which received national recognition for extraordinary performance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
On Monday, several people who had life saving transplant operations from MTI gathered at the hospital to join in the celebrations for 40 years of success.
Andrea Kessler, the program's first kidney-pancreas transplant patient, has had her organs for 20 years.
"My life was different. I feel like a very new person having had these transplants," said Kessler, "Made me stronger and made my family stronger."
Kessler, a practicing attorney working in several legal areas including probate, trust, litigation and medical devices said the whole purpose of going through the transplant process was to get back her life.
"All of the recipients are part of our family, but those with the complications become the closest part because we have to live with them," said UM/Jackson surgeon Dr. George Burke.
"I've done great with the transplant," said Mark Frye, "And everything is fine."
Dr. Kathryn Smith, now a resident at UM/Jackson, said her first trip to the hospital was 11 years ago as a patient in need of a transplant. Smith underwent a multivisceral transplant in 1999 and is one of the longest living survivors of this rare procedure.
"I sort of always wanted to be a doctor, but actually this experience did, I guess, strengthen my desire to be a physician."
Former UM football player Ron Walker, 54, had a heart transplant at UM/Jackson this past May and said it has changed his life.
"I can't thank you enough because without you all, I wouldn't be here today. I thank God for all of you. These people here (gesturing at the doctors) are now my new heroes. It was Michael Jordan and LeBron James, nothing against them guys, but when something happens to them, who are they going to turn to," said Walker, "These people here."
More than half of all the reported multi-organ transplants in the world have been performed at the institute. One of the reasons for this is that MTI at UM/Jackson is the only Florida hospital to perform every type of organ transplant; more than 500 organ and tissue transplants each year.
This year the Miami Transplant Institute at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center is celebrating four decades of lifesaving organ and tissue transplants.
The program, regularly recognized for its excellence in clinical care and high success rates, was honored in 2010 for three of its transplantation programs which received national recognition for extraordinary performance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
On Monday, several people who had life saving transplant operations from MTI gathered at the hospital to join in the celebrations for 40 years of success.
Andrea Kessler, the program's first kidney-pancreas transplant patient, has had her organs for 20 years.
"My life was different. I feel like a very new person having had these transplants," said Kessler, "Made me stronger and made my family stronger."
Kessler, a practicing attorney working in several legal areas including probate, trust, litigation and medical devices said the whole purpose of going through the transplant process was to get back her life.
"All of the recipients are part of our family, but those with the complications become the closest part because we have to live with them," said UM/Jackson surgeon Dr. George Burke.
"I've done great with the transplant," said Mark Frye, "And everything is fine."
Dr. Kathryn Smith, now a resident at UM/Jackson, said her first trip to the hospital was 11 years ago as a patient in need of a transplant. Smith underwent a multivisceral transplant in 1999 and is one of the longest living survivors of this rare procedure.
"I sort of always wanted to be a doctor, but actually this experience did, I guess, strengthen my desire to be a physician."
Former UM football player Ron Walker, 54, had a heart transplant at UM/Jackson this past May and said it has changed his life.
"I can't thank you enough because without you all, I wouldn't be here today. I thank God for all of you. These people here (gesturing at the doctors) are now my new heroes. It was Michael Jordan and LeBron James, nothing against them guys, but when something happens to them, who are they going to turn to," said Walker, "These people here."
More than half of all the reported multi-organ transplants in the world have been performed at the institute. One of the reasons for this is that MTI at UM/Jackson is the only Florida hospital to perform every type of organ transplant; more than 500 organ and tissue transplants each year.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Journey of a Double-Lung Transplant Recipient
When he was just 2 years old, Cody was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a lung disease that affects about 30,000 people in the United States. Though he was able to live a relatively normal life and was only hospitalized once because of his illness, his health began to worsen in 2009. Last year Cody spent almost 3 months in and out of the hospital, including several stays in the ICU.
Click here to watch a short video of Cody's transplant journey.
Click here to watch a short video of Cody's transplant journey.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November Patient of the Month: Jonathan Amarillo
When Jonathan's mother, Yuberky, was pregnant, she won a 4D ultrasound in a contest. During that ultrasound, she learned her little boy was suffering from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Doctors said Jonathan wouldn't survive because his kidneys were so enlarged that his lungs couldn't develop properly. Jonathan has had both kidneys removed and requires dialysis treatments at home for more than 10 hours each day. Doctors have said a kidney transplant is critical to his survival.Rather than arranging play dates and playing silly games with her baby boy, single mom Yuberky must spend her time scheduling doctors' visits and dialysis treatments for little Jonathan. They are facing a difficult challenge, but Yuberky is determined to be there for her son and see him overcome this health battle.
A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with insurance, Jonathan's family faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant.
To read more of little Jonathan's story or to make a donation to NFT in his honor, please visit his web bio.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NFT Patients Who Received Transplants in October
We are thrilled for the NFT patients who received their transplants last month, and we wish them all the best during recovery!
- Kevin Bolin (double-lung) at Duke University Medical Center
- Doris Coley (liver) at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute
- Chris Coverdale (kidney) at Shands at the University of Florida
- Tony Feggins (kidney) at Emory Transplant Center
- John Schmitz (liver) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester
As you may already know, NFT provides services to transplant candidates awaiting organ and/or tissue transplants, as well as patients who have already received their transplants.
To learn more about NFT and our transplant fundraising services, visit the FAQ page on our website.
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