National Foundation for Transplants

  • July Patient of the Month

    July 19, 2012
    NFT Patient of the Month 2012-07-19 09:53

    In 2008, Paula donated blood and received the shocking news that she was suffering from hepatitis C, which she contracted from a blood transfusion in 1987.

    She underwent treatment for two years, and doctors say a liver transplant is critical to her survival. She has no health insurance and can’t even be evaluated for a transplant until she has health...

    Liver Transplant, Patient of the Month

  • Brigham & Women's Hospital Performs Landmark Artificial Heart Transplant

    June 28, 2012

    From the Boston Herald:

    A former science teacher from Holbrook was New England’s first total artificial heart transplant patient, a jubilant medical team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital announced today.

    “It’s been an amazing journey, and I really can’t believe I’m still here, but I feel great, and I get to live...

    Heart Transplant

  • Florida Transplant Patient Speaks to Congress about Medicare Policy

    June 25, 2012

    For kidney transplant patient Karen Simmons, the journey to transplantation is all about raising awareness and hope for others. In 1997, Karen was diagnosed with lupus, which has severely damaged her kidneys. She’s been enduring dialysis treatments for the past thirteen years, and doctors say a kidney transplant is vital.

    Karen always encourages patients to become their own number one advocate and to get...

  • Vote for Video to Support Organ Donation

    June 22, 2012

    MacKenzie Koppert, a 21-year-old California college student, is raising awareness about the vital need for organ donation. He's currently in a video contest to win an entry into the Kona Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October.

    He's up against 14 other videos, and the top two videos with the most votes by July 3 will win an entry.

    As MacKenzie put it, "What better arena to promote organ donation than the big island of Hawaii?"

    Please...

  • Lung Transplant Recipient Thanks UTMB Staff

    June 20, 2012

    GALVESTON — Lung-transplant recipient Mike Bright wound up back at John Sealy Hospital a year after surgery. He wanted it that way.

    “I have a lot of people to thank,” said Bright, 60, an aerospace manager from League City. “My nurses, my doctors, all of the staff — they took care of me like my mother would have.”

    Bright underwent a successful single-lung transplant on June 11, 2011, and returned exactly one year later along with his wife,...

    Lung Transplant

  • A Poem for Transplant Patients

    June 18, 2012

    Below is a beautiful poem written by transplant patient Karen Simmons.

    Patients With Patience
    Our bodies are sometimes in and out.
    But our inner strength won’t let us doubt.
    About God’s wonderful power; even in our weakest hour.
    We see the sun at the end of the each rainbow,
    Getting brighter; but no one
    Really knows, when our lives will end...

  • June Patient of the Month: Aubrie Miller

    June 13, 2012
    Aubrie Miller

    Aubrie began fighting for her life before she was even born. On February 29, her mother learned Aubrie was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy during a routine ultrasound. After she was born on March 14, little Aubrie was immediately transferred to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for treatment and care. Doctors said a heart transplant was critical to her...

    Heart Transplant, Patient of the Month

  • May Transplant Birthdays

    June 8, 2012

    Last month, eight our of patients received lifesaving transplants. We are so excited for them and wish everyone speedy recoveries!

  • Pro Golfer Raising Organ Donation Awareness

    May 22, 2012

    Donate Life America (DLA) announced that it has partnered with PGA TOUR golfer and two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton on a new educational campaign, "Play Through with Erik Compton," which is supported by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. "Play Through" aims to raise public awareness of organ donation and urge Americans to consider becoming organ donors.

    "Last year, Donate Life America achieved a significant milestone when the 100 millionth...

  • Kidney Recipient Walks His Donor Down the Aisle

    May 14, 2012

    In 2010, Cindi Love donated a kidney to save the life of a total stranger—and she didn’t think twice about doing it! She first became interested in being an organ donor after watching her nephew Ken suffer from diabetes from a very young age. When she learned Ken needed a kidney transplant, she went through the testing process in hopes of being his donor, but she wasn’t a perfect match.

    She began researching transplants, and she was shocked to learn how many...

    kidney transplant