Transplant Type - Liver

After feeling ill and going to the emergency room last year, Melissa was originally diagnosed with pneumonia. However, further testing revealed she was suffering from end-stage liver disease. Melissa's health is very unpredictable, and she never knows how she may feel from one day to the next. Doctors have told Melissa a liver transplant is essential to her survival, and she has been added to the transplant waiting list.

Although she has more bad days than good, Melissa remains positive and tries to make the most out life. She relies on her strong faith and family for support as she fights to overcome her health battle. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to take care of herself again without living in pain. She wants nothing more than to feel well again and spend many more years with her husband, children and grandchildren. But she needs your help.

A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Melissa faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she 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 her survival as the transplant itself.

Because of her health issues, Melissa is no longer able to work as a photographer, adding to her family's financial strain. Her husband provides the sole income for their family, and he will miss time at work as he goes through surgery and recovery as her living donor.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: University of Colorado Hospital