Transplant Type - Liver

Kailah was living an active healthy life, going to school and working part time as a cashier. However, things drastically changed last year when she experienced pain so severe, it caused her to pass out. Days later, her skin and eyes turned a shade of yellow and she had to be rushed to an emergency room.

Kailah was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Cirrhosis of the liver, and she was immediately added to the waiting list for a transplant, her only hope for survival. While waiting for her new liver, her kidneys failed and she coded. Kailah was brought back to life and had to rely on machines to keep her alive while in the ICU.

Fortunately, on January 30, 2009, Kailah received a liver transplant. Although she is now recuperating from the transplant, she is experiencing problems with her kidneys. While in the ICU, Kailah lost tremendous amounts of blood, which greatly affected her hearing in both ears, and has to wear hearing aids. Kailah is currently being home schooled and because of her hard work and determination, she will graduate in June 2009. Kailah looks forward to going to college and hopes to become a child psychologist.

Her liver transplant costs approximately $520,000 and that's only the beginning. Kailah also faces significant costs related to her failing kidneys. Even with some health coverage, Kailah will incur tremendous medical expenses related to her transplant. Not only is she responsible for 20 percent of her transplant costs, but she also faces a lifetime of 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 her survival as the transplant itself.

You can help! To make a donation to NFT in honor of Kailah, click the link below her photo. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Maryland Liver Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Be sure to write "in honor of Kailah Smith-Huntington" in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Johns Hopkins Hospital