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.