Transplant Type - Lung

In the mid 90s, he was diagnosed with lung disease, and he also suffers from emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Over the years, his disease has worsened, and now every breath is truly a struggle for Rick. Doctors say a double-lung transplant is essential to his survival, and he was recently added to the transplant waiting list at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Rick has always been a very hard worker, and he loves the outdoors and spending time with his family, including his wife, Connie, five children and five young grandchildren. His illness has greatly affected his quality of life, as he is unable to be as active as he'd like with his grandchildren and can no longer go fishing or camping. He was even forced to miss his son's wedding in Florida because of his declining health. Rick looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow him know what it feels like to take a deep breath. More than anything, he simply wants his life back. Rick believes in giving back to the community and is always willing to lend a helping hand for others. But now he needs your help.

A double-lung transplant costs approximately $650,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover the cost of the transplant, Rick 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.

Because of his illness, Rick is no longer able to work, adding to his financial strain. Rick and Connie must temporarily relocate more than 650 miles from their home to be near the transplant center during recovery, incurring significant expenses for travel, food and lodging.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Mayo Clinic in Florida