A Christmas Miracle for NFT Patients

This week, staff and friends of NFT truly witnessed the holiday spirit in the lives of our patients. A simple act of generosity and kindness can make a world of difference to a family in need.

A Denver-area family decided not to exchange Christmas gifts this year, and will instead use the money to help other transplant patients facing a grim Christmas. The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, understand how a medical crisis can change the meaning of Christmas. Just five years ago, their family member received a small bowel transplant. At the time, medical bills were increasing so much that Christmas gifts for their three children were not an option.

Not wanting another family to feel the same way they felt that Christmas, the family called NFT to discuss their plan to make Christmas a little brighter for a couple NFT patients.

Three-year-old Ridge McCall, of Nebraska, and his family have so much to celebrate this Christmas season. In October, he received a lifesaving transplant. The heart transplant, which cost approximately $600,000, has led to soaring medical expenses for the McCall family. Christmas was looking bleak for this family.

When Ridge's mother got the call that someone was providing such a generous gift for Christmas, she broke down in tears saying this surprise could not have come at a better time.

Similarly, NFT Patient Wess Holston, of Missouri, will have an exciting Christmas celebration thanks to these compassionate donors. Wess is awaiting a pancreas transplant, which is his only hope for survival after suffering from uncontrollable diabetes since he was 16 years old. He and his wife have six children, and this gift will make their holidays much brighter.

Wess' wife, Katrina, said, "May God bless the Denver family...There are no words to describe how much this means to us, and we thank this family and NFT for their help."

The National Foundation for Transplants staff and friends truly feel as though we have witnessed a Christmas miracle! To learn more about Ridge McCall, Wess Holston or any NFT patient, visit our Web site and click on "Patients We Help."

Holiday Giving at NFT

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is certainly upon us. It's a happy and exciting time for most, but there are some who will spend the holidays anxiously awaiting a lifesaving transplant.

While spending time with your family and friends, please be sure to remember the National Foundation for Transplants and the patients we serve. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the waiting list for a transplant. Someone in your hometown or just down the street could need a second chance at life, and you may not even know it.

Consider making a gift to NFT this holiday season to help assist our patients with their soaring transplant-related medical expenses.

Click here to make a donation today.

November Transplants for NFT Patients

Each month we would like to recognize our patients who received their lifesaving transplants. In November, the following patients received transplants:

• Kendall "Pup" Chadwick (liver) at Integris Baptist Medical Center


• Shirley Craig (heart/lung) at Methodist Transplant Center


• Roseina Hester (double lung) at University of Washington Medical Center


• Reginald Lemaster (bone marrow) at Northside Hospital


• Jay Menhennet (kidney) at Cleveland Clinic


• Michael Miller (kidney/pancreas) at Mayo Clinic in Florida
  
• Brad Stauffer (bone marrow) at MD Anderson Cancer Center

We wish all of our patients the best and hope they continue to do well on the road to recovery!

Meeting Her Donor for the First Time

L to r: Wingate Grant ( son), Susan, Peter Andrews (donor), Helen Andrews (Peter’s wife)

Last month, Susan Grant had a moment she'll never forget! Ten years after receiving her lifesaving bone marrow transplant, Susan met the donor who changed her life forever.

Peter Andrews, of England, donated his bone marrow to save Susan's life after she was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

"Meeting Peter is a dream come true," said Susan. "I've kept a photo of Peter and his family on my mantel for years. When I look at it, I'm reminded that a complete stranger gave me back my life, and I'm grateful beyond words."

Social Worker Needs a Transplant

Every day thousands of dedicated social workers guide patients through the intimidating process of transplantation. For this social worker the roles have changed, for she is now in need of guidance and support.

Zoila Mora has contributed 25 years to the social work profession, helping young children in abusive and neglectful environments and adults living in an Alzheimer's care center. After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2003, Zoila's health has declined and she now desperately needs a bone marrow transplant.

NFT is working with Zoila to help her raised funds for her transplant-related experiences. To help Zoila, or other patients like her, please visit the NFT Web site and click on "Patients We Help."

Personal Stories from NFT Patients

Please watch our brief video featuring personal testimonials from NFT patients.