Transplant Type - Kidney

In 1989, Terence was diagnosed with diabetes and had to begin giving himself shots five times a day to maintain his health. Then in 2001, his eyesight began failing, and he was diagnosed with high blood pressure. He soon learned that he would require dialysis treatments for the rest of his life. His dialysis treatments greatly affect his quality of life, as he receives them three nights a week, eight hours at a time. Doctors now say a kidney transplant is critical to his survival, and he was added to the transplant waiting list in 2009.

Terence credits his strong faith for getting him this far, as it has given him the strength to move forward even when it seems impossible. He is thankful that he is still able to enjoy painting, but he can no longer do crafts because his diabetes caused nerve damage that makes it difficult to complete more tedious projects with his hands. Terence is a free spirit who loves to meet new people, and he dreams of returning to school and starting a career in social work so he can help others.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Although Medicare will cover the transplant costs, he faces considerable medical expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications, and Medicare only assists with medications for 36 months. The cost of his 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.

When he receives his transplant, he must temporarily relocate more than 100 miles from his home to be near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food and lodging. Terence had a career in retail management, but his declining health prevents him from working, adding to his financial strain.

You can help.
To make a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Terence, click the link below his photo. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT South Carolina Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Terence Harris" on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Medical University of South Carolina