Upcoming Fundraisers for our Transplant Patients

At NFT, our fundraising consultants are available to work with patients one-on-one throughout the fundraising process. From direct appeal letters and personal Web pages to fundraising events held in honor of the patient, NFT is involved in every step.

Some upcoming patient fundraisers include:

• Dave Cabana's Barbecue Dinner in Edenton, NC
• Fred Hutwagner's Pub Dinner in Wantagh, NY
• Dawn Appel's Spaghetti Dinner in Bellevue, WA

Are you or a loved one worried about fundraising for a lifesaving transplant? Or do you just have questions about the benefits of fundraising? No matter what your question or concern is, please feel free to visit our Web site, e-mail us at info@transplants.org or call 800-489-3863.

NFT Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Finds a Friend Through Unlikely Connection

NFT patient, Melissa Delgado, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003. For six years, she has been unsuccessful in finding a bone marrow donor match. While there is a national shortage of organ and tissue donors, the need for bone marrow donors of Hispanic descent is particularly crucial. The success rate for bone marrow transplants greatly increases when tissue is matched between members of the same ethnic background.


Sunday, May 17 at 7 p.m., a fundraiser, including a cocktail-style dinner, dancing and a raffle, will be held in honor of Melissa at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, NY. The entire evening has been planned in Melissa’s honor by someone who was a complete stranger just a couple months ago.

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When Maria DeFrancesco volunteered to help at a healthcare convention, she had no idea her efforts would save lives.

On the final day of the convention, a bone marrow drive was held. Maria, 32, recalls thinking, “No big deal. I’ll add my name to the bone marrow registry,” but she gave it very little thought after that. Three weeks later, she received a call telling her she was a preliminary match for a 14-year-old boy who suffered from acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Further testing proved she was a perfect match, and in February her bone marrow was harvested to save the life of this young boy.

Because of her newfound connection with bone marrow transplants, Maria wanted to do even more to help. She began researching local organizations and found the National Foundation for Transplants. After contacting NFT, Maria learned about Melissa Delgado. The two women met and quickly became friends.

“After talking to Melissa, it was easy to see she is such a strong girl who is determined to get through anything. I want to help her by spreading awareness and shedding light on bone marrow donation,” explains Maria.

A bone marrow transplant costs approximately $675,000, and that is only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Melissa is facing significant expenses related to her transplant. Searching for donors also is an expensive process.

The Icla da Silva Foundation will host a bone marrow drive during the fundraiser so guests will have the opportunity to register as bone marrow donors at no cost. A representative from The Bone Marrow Foundation also will be present to answer any questions about marrow donation.

Local businesses participating in the fundraiser include Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, Frankies 457 Spuntino, Jalopy Music Theater and Oggi Hair Salon.

Visit Melissa Delgado’s Web page on the NFT Web site to learn more about her fight against leukemia.

Kidney Patient Celebrates Mother's Day With Her Donor

This Mother's Day, NFT patient Sandy Brown had something extra special to be thankful for. Sunday was the first Mother's Day since her son, Eric, donated one of his kidneys to save Sandy's life.

Read this article from the South Carolina newspaper, The State, to learn Sandy's story.

Eric and Sandy Brown (photo from The State Web site)

Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Remains Optimistic

May Patient of the Month:

Tannia Munoz

At just 24 years old, Tannia requires the use of ankle braces and a cane so she can walk. She hopes that one day she'll be able to walk again with the grace of other women her age.

During her first semester of law school at Rutgers University, Tannia began having trouble walking. At first, doctors believed her problem was the result of a knee injury. But five months later, in February 2008, she was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. CIDP is an autoimmune/neurological illness that attacks the peripheral nerves. There is no known cause of this rare disease.

Tannia's declining health leaves her so physically weak that she is unable to work or finish school. Her daily symptoms include weakness in the hands and legs, hand tremors, muscle twitching and pain, numbness, tingling and excessive fatigue. Doctors have tried treating her condition with a variety of medications, but none offer the chance for a meaningful recovery. Tannia's doctors say a bone marrow transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

Despite her struggles, Tannia remains optimistic. She is currently on a medical leave of absence from law school, but hopes to return after her health is restored. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to enjoy time with her friends and family. She needs your help.

A bone marrow transplant costs more than $300,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Tannia faces significant medical expenses. She will need costly follow-up care and medications, which are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

Visit our Web site to make a donation to NFT in honor of Tannia Munoz or to help other patients like her.

NFT Patients Who Received Transplants in April

We are so happy for our patients who received lifesaving transplants in April!

• Brian Malenke (kidney) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Raymond Maldonado (liver) at California Pacific Medical Center

Of course, NFT will continue to assist these patients with their fundraising and advocacy needs. As you may know, vital post-transplant medications our patients must take daily are as critical to their survival as the transplant itself. Unfortunately, even with insurance, these medications can costs thousands of dollars per month.

Visit our Web site to make a donation to NFT to help patients like Brian and Raymond.

The Truth About Organ Donation

• Anyone can be an organ donor, regardless of age, race or medical history.
• All major religions in the United States support organ donation.
• Organ donors can still have open-casket funerals.
• Organ donation doesn't cost the donor's family any money.
• If an individual is hospitalized, medical staff will provide the best possible care, whether or not the patient is an organ donor. In fact, the transplant team is completely separate from the medical team and won't even be called unless a patient is declared brain dead.
• Donors are needed for all ethnic groups. Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic background.

Right now, 101,884 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Because of the vast shortage of organ donors, 18 people die each day waiting for a transplant in the United States. In an effort to help alleviate this problem, NFT recently kicked off the Transplant Challenge! We hope to raise $100,000 to support transplant patients and add 100,000 new names to the donor registry.

Accept the Transplant Challenge today!

Transplant Challenge Pizza Party

Check out photos from our Transplant Challenge Pizza Party, which was held at the NFT office in April 17.

To see more photos, visit our Facebook page!