Transplant Type - Liver

We are thrilled to report that John received his lifesaving transplant in October 2010 and is recovering well!

In 1990, John was diagnosed with hepatitis, a disease doctors believe he contracted from working with cattle on his family's farm without wearing gloves. The hepatitis led to many other health problems, including a diagnosis of colitis two years later. In May 2010, he learned he he was suffering from from cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholitis, which causes inflammation and scarring of the liver's bile ducts. Doctors said a liver transplant was essential to his survival.

John loves to spend time with his wife, Brandy, and their two children, but now he cannot play with the kids like he used to because his illness leaves him exhausted. Once he has recovered, John hopes to help others facing similar health battles because he understands their worries and frustrations. More than anything, he wants to resume his normal life and looks forward to enjoying the little things without constantly worrying about his health. But he needs your help.

A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000. And that's only the beginning. John faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant. 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.

John must temporarily relocate more than 200 miles from his home to the transplant center during recovery, incurring substantial travel expenses.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Mayo Clinic in Rochester