February Patient of the Month: Ricardo Wants a New Heart for Valentine’s Day

In 2007, Ricardo “Ricky” Santiago was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, caused by medication he received as a child during chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. In 2005, doctors implanted a pacemaker to help regulate his heart. Although the pacemaker initially helped, doctors soon realized Ricardo needed a heart transplant to survive. He has been on the transplant waiting list for more than a year.

In 2008, Ricky underwent surgery to have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted, which will act as a mechanical heart until he receives his lifesaving transplant. Despite these challenges, Ricky remains positive and is thankful for the steadfast support of his family. He dreams of being able to pick up his 2-year-old son, Aries, and play with him the way he used to. He looks forward to the transplant that will allow him to once again travel with Jennie and Aries, work on cars, drive, go swimming and simply live life to the fullest.

A heart transplant costs approximately $775,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Ricky will face significant medical expenses. For the rest of his life, he 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 his survival as the transplant itself.

To make a donation to NFT in honor of Ricky, click here. To read an article about Ricky and his family, visit The Day, his local newspaper’s Web site.

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.

Ventricular Assist Device

A ventricular assist device (VAD) acts as a mechanical heart. A VAD can be implanted inside a patient's chest or worn in a pack around the patient's waist. Regardless of how it is used, a VAD literally keeps the heart pumping.

Not meant to replace the heart, a VAD helps the heart do its job or rest so that it can regain regular activity. According to WebMD, this can mean the difference between life and death for a person whose heart needs a rest after open-heart surgery, or for a person waiting for a heart transplant.

VAD patients are eligible for the same type of service and assistance that all transplant patients receive from the National Foundation for Transplants. Our fundraising guidance and support can be beneficial to patients using a VAD because they could one day face the need for a heart transplant. For more information, please visit our Web site or call 1-800-489-3863.

Have you had experience with a ventricular assist device? If so, please share your thoughts and stories in the comment section.