More Testimonials

Dear Miss Erica,

I want to extend my deep and sincere appreciation to the American Transplant Foundation for your most generous award of $1,000.00 in assisting me with my financial needs during my time of recovery as a kidney donor to my sister Olivia Jackson the recipient.

Every bit of support has been so helpful during this time of need and yours was very important because it went towards my mortgage payment. It brought me peace of mind and helped to diffuse my stress level during my time of recovery. I was able to relax and allow the healing to take it's course.

The Kidney Transplant Project was a major ordeal for both my sister and I and we didn't know how this would all unfold. All we could do was to try and prepare as best as possible and have faith that the rest would come. The kidney is healthy and took to her body right away! So now we move forward towards a sure and healthy recovery.

Organizations as yours makes one feel that you are not alone and that there are people with kind and giving hearts that care. Your organization restores my hope and faith in humanity and inspires me to continue to be of service to others in the best way I can. I will move forward on my journey as an advocate in respect to the importance of being an organ donor. I am attaching a photo of my sister and myself. I am on the left (Irma) a bit taller than her (Olivia) who is on the right.

With much love, respect and gratitude,
Irma Rangel

I was overjoyed when I got the letter that my grant had been approved and knew everything was going to be okay. Thank you so much! There are no words to express how I feel about the help. It took a lot of my worry away about keeping the kidney healthy.

Marissa, kidney recipient
July 2016

My name is Michael and I saved someone's life.

That sounds pretty grandiose to me. But, as humble as I'd like to pretend to be, that is truly the case.

My wife's Aunt Beth was in End Stage Kidney Disease when my wife made the decision to get tested for compatibility. While we were in the hospital, the doctor made a comment that put the scenario in perspective. He explained, "You could sit in PNC Park baseball field, and be the only person who donated a kidney. That's how rare this gift is."

My wife was not a match. Like 8 others who attempted to donate, she was not a part of the 15% of the population who had the right combination of traits in order to match Aunt Beth. While at the hospital supporting my wife's efforts, I had volunteered to get tested for compatibility as well. As God would have it, I was part of that 15%. But herein lies the problem, I am the primary financial support for our family of 4. We were going to need help.

Through faith, we continued with the numerous tests and doctor's appointments. Fortunately, we had enough humility to ask our social worker for help during one of the doctor appointments. That is when we heard about the generous contributions that were made available to us through the American Transplant Foundation's Patient Assistance Program. I believe God works through the people put in our lives; so, I thank God for the American Transplant Foundation.

Sincerely and appreciatively,
Michael (and Aunt Beth I'm sure too)
August 2015

P.S. I am pleased to report that I recovered extremely fast thanks to my ability to rest properly after the surgery.

I am writing to express my gratitude to your organization for the financial grant you so generously awarded me. Not having to worry about my rent payment as I was recuperating from surgery helped to alleviate additional stress. Your kind gesture was very much appreciated.

I am a single father with primary custody of both my four year old daughter Addyson and my nine year old son Donald. Both of my children are active, with an adventurous spirit, but unfortunately my daughter could not always keep up with my son due to her medical complications. Addyson suffered from Multi Cystic Dysplastic Kidneys before her successful transplant surgery. I had the privilege of donating one of my kidneys to her, which took place on March 24, 2015. She continues to live with Cystic Fibrosis, but has not let that slow her down. Since the procedure she has become even more active, keeping up with her brother, cousins and neighborhood friends, while truly enjoying her gift of life! She just accompanied her family to the Poconos for her first vacation, where she enjoyed swimming and miniature golf.

I am back to work, having fully recovered from the surgery. I am grateful for those who walked this road with me and continue to as Addyon becomes even stronger. My family and friends, as well as Addyson’s mother, have helped us both as we recovered over the past several months. I am also grateful for the thoughts and prayers bestowed on my family during these past four years. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to the future, and all of the healthy years ahead for my daughter!

Donald, Living Kidney Donor
March 2015

Idelua, Kidney transplant recipient
March 5, 2015
UTMB Texas Transplant Center

Dear American Transplant Foundation,

My name is Argette and my husband’s name is Ronald.  We currently reside in Grand Prairie Texas. My sister Brooksey has been living with kidney disease for at least 8 years.  Therefore, I decided to follow-up with testing to see if I was a match.  After completing months of testing, it was time to move forward with the kidney transplant.  Therefore, I was instructed to travel to Albany New York for a clinical evaluation before the kidney transplant.  After the evaluation, my sister Brooksey and I were scheduled for surgery on November 17, 2014.  The surgery took place at Albany Medical Center located in New York City.

Thanks to your financial assistance, my sister Brooskey is no longer on dialysis after living with kidney disease for many years.  Because of your grant, my husband and I did not have to worry about expenses throughout my recovery course from surgery.

My husband and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for providing financial assistance and support to make this kidney transplant happen. Because of your financial assistance, my husband was able to take off work for almost a month, to help provide the additional support I needed for healing and recovery from the kidney transplant surgery.

Words can’t express our gratitude of appreciation for helping me to donate life. “I am a living donor”.

Sincerely,
Argette W.

"I wanted to send a note to thank everyone at the American Transplant Foundation for the grant that I received last month. I donated a kidney to my fiance, and our surgery took place at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Your grant generously paid my car payment, cell phone bill, and car insurance for November, which was a huge help to me and took a lot of pressure off during my recovery period. Once again, my deepest thanks for funding the grant, and if I can ever help in any volunteer capacity, I would be more than happy to do so.

Lynn, Living Kidney Donor
Johns Hopkins Hospital,Baltimore,MD

11/17/2014

I want to start by telling you a bit about myself. I am a low income mother with one child. In the past year, I have had a lot going on with my life. I had open-heart surgery in August of 2012. Then I was approved for my kidney transplant six months later. I don't know if you are religious but it was a gift from GOD! Most people have to wait on the waiting list for approximately 2.5 years. My wait was 3.5 months. My body is not rejecting my new kidney at all and it fits like a glove!

That is why I am so grateful for the support you have given me. I really wish I could thank you in person. Just to know that there are people out there that understand and know how tough it is! If there is any way I can help in the future, I am more than happy to do anything.

Sincerely Grateful,
Susan S.

Thank you so much for the grant in the amount of $737.84 to assist with our house payment. When I received the news I felt a weight had been lifted. As I am sure you are aware, Indiana offers no donor assistance. As determined as I was to donate in the Pair Program on my brother-in-law's behalf, the financial loss is big. Just know that the American Transplant Foundation has helped make our lives a little easier. Thank you for all you do!

God Bless,
Amy P.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness and consideration. I am continuing to recuperate and recover from surgery. My kidney donation to my grandmother has been a real gift to her. She had a few complications following surgery but the Mayo Clinic has been diligent and relentless in high quality care. The financial assistance I received from the American Transplant Foundation was a true blessing! The assistance provided a cushion for us so that we would not have too much financial distress post transplant. It was a sacrifice for him to take off and the assistance made up for the lack!

Because of your help, not only was my grandmother's life saved, but the quality of my life was saved as well because I had peace of mind and assurance that my basic necessities such as (a comfortable home) was going to be in place to facilitate healing and recovery.  I know that stress and worrying can halt the healing process but your organization prevented it through your gift of love! I am eternally grateful for each of you who represent and to those who donate to the American Transplant Foundation.

Thanks for your love and support!

Ericka D.

Heather participated in a living kidney donor swap - News 8 Special Report: Four-Way Kidney Swap.

After receiving financial assistance from the American Transplant Foundation, Heather was able to save her son's life by participating in a four-way kidney swap!

Thank you for the financial assistance which you provided to me which allowed me to take place in a four-way kidney swap at Yale New Haven Hospital on January 31, 2013.

My son received a new kidney and I donated...what made it extra special??? A mother and daughter received and donated and a mother and son received and donated!

Heather - Tennessee
Living Kidney Donor to Son
1/31/2013

In March of 2012, my family and I learned that my dad was in renal failure and his kidneys were only functioning at 5%. We all decided that we would get tested to be possible donors. I became the best candidate for the job. I began to feel quite nervous, as I've never had surgery before. So, I began my own research. I wanted to learn all about being a kidney donor and possible risks that my father and I may face. I don't have any children and my decision to become a donor kept circling around that fact. I decided to put it in God's hands and help my father. I knew it would be quite challenging due to the fact that I'm the sole financial provider of my household.

The American Transplant Foundation made it easier for me to go through with the procedure stress free. The Foundation agreed to take care of the cost of my rent for a month. I'm sure this will help with my recovery process. Just knowing that there's one less bill I have to worry about. It allows me to be able to focus on my own as well as my father's recovery without having to worry about financial issues. Our recoveries are the most important thing to me right now and I wouldn't want anything to get in the way of our futures!

Thank you so much for your help!

Tynequa - Connecticut
Living Kidney Donor to Father
1/24/2013

Thank you so much for helping me get my Diovan medication for December. My medication, which came as a result of your financial assistance, paid for my medication in the morning and there were no pills left for my evening dose. What a relief to have seen them that day! Please give the friends of the Foundation a special big hug and thanks from me

I am a double lung transplant patients who for five years have just breezed along like nothing was ever wrong. And then my body rejected my lungs in September. At this time, they found some deadly fungus also, and because of the medications used to treat the rejection my heart went into AFIB. I ended up in and out of the hospital for 4 weeks.

It was a good holiday season and I am slowly getting back to my normal. I fell through the donuthole with Medicare, which has caused me a lot of trouble with money. I am back at my part-time job because I needed the money to put toward my medication bills.

When my VISA card arrived from the Tree of Life, I was so happy! I was then able to pickup two prescriptions that were waiting at the pharmacy.

Many heartfelt thanks,
Darla - Pennslyvania
Double Lung Transplant Recipient
12/10/2012

I am so happy that I was able to become a living donor for my husband! We are both so thankful for the help you gave us when we needed it most. It has been just over a year since the surgery and we are both doing good! We are grateful that there was a program out there to help us during this very difficult time in our lives. Without the American Transplant Foundation, we would not have been able to afford our rent and I could not have saved my husband's life.

Thank you for all that you do,
Carla

Colorado- Living Donor for her husband
1/6/2012

A kidney rejection episode is utterly overwhelming- both physically and financially.

Janet, a precious grandmother, underwent an immunosuppressive treatment that saved her life, but left her struggling financially. After defeating the rejection episode, Janet was afraid she wouldn't be able to pay, her costly hospital bill within the two weeks she had been given. By granting her $500 in financial assistance, we were able to help free Janet of the looming medical bill.

This is what Janet had to say about the financial assistance she received:

"Your foundation truly helped me. With all the co pays and insurance premiums- the bills were so outstanding. I had to have an IV treatment, which required that I be hooked up to IVs for 6 hours at the hospital three times a week for two weeks.  I really could not afford to stay in Pittsburgh; therefore, I would leave at 3 in the morning, spend all day at the hospital,  return home and have a day to rest before doing it all again.

Since my daughter's husband passed away, I have helped her raise my sweet grandchildren- Savannah and Austin, who was four months old when his father died. My daughter kept saying that I needed to stay healthy and that I needed to find a way to pay for my medical infusion because she needed my help. I was wondering if I was ever going to be able to pay my medical bill. Without this assistance, I might not have been able to.

It's truly amazing that ATF was willing to step in and help me. This financial grant is the only way that I could pay my medical bill. All I can say is a huge, huge thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help that the Foundation gave me.

Again, thank you for your generosity and caring heart."

Janet
Kidney Recipient
8/31/2012

In March, 2012, Tracey donated a kidney to her brother. Thanks to the Patient Assistance Program, Tracey did not have to worry about how she would cover her rent while recovering after the surgery. (Note: three weeks after the transplant, Tracey and her brother were looking great!)

https://youtu.be/iFFwu_iZrf0

"...knowing that someone was going to take care of rent really made this a lot easier. So thank you, thank you, thank you - I think my kidney likes it's new home!"

Tracey

4/6/2012

Thank you for your support. Your kindness will never be forgotten.  If ever you have an event in this area, please call on us as volunteers.  Foundations like yours and people like you serve as a beacon of light in times of darkness for those like us who truly need help.

This is our story:

My husband was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1998 while working at a chemical plant.  He soon developed liver damage and had to leave a lucrative job after 19 years.  For two years he was treated for liver damage. Unfortunately, in 2003 he was diagnosed with end-of-stage kidney disease and started dialysis in 2003, 5 hours a day, 3 days a week.  Wanting to be able to find part-time work and do dialysis proved difficult. In 2006, he was employed part-time at a local community college as an Instructor.  He was able to get classes that allow him to work before or after his dialysis treatments.  Before he could be placed on the transplant list, he was required to have multiple surgeries to replace both knees. He was finally placed on the transplant list in 2010 and got his transplant in January 2011.

It has been hard financially, because he was not able to return to work for the extra income that we so desperately need.  It has been so long since we have been able to travel, or even enjoy ourselves due to the long term debilitating illnesses.  But we have promise of a brighter tomorrow because of his kidney transplant, and know that one day soon we will be able to do some of the things that we were not able to do before.

Thank you again and again
Marcella

Dear American Transplant Foundation,

Thank you so much for your greatly appreciated grant to assist me with my COBRA payments. I underwent a liver transplant last year.  I am in my 60s and a single mother of two young adults in their 20s.

I haven’t had the smoothest recovery and currently, I am on disability.  From the bottom of my heart, I am thankful for your generosity to assist me in keeping my health insurance that provides access to lifesaving medication.

Sincerely,
Patricia Cee Lane
4/3/2012

Dearest Friends,

When Anastasia called me and gave me the wonderful news I was truly speechless!! Hope we can get my hubby back to work soon.. but in the meantime,  we would like to thank you so very much for your great support and kindness!! It was so helpful to get assistance with David's monthly insurance premium. Thank you for ALL you have done - including working with the insurance company to reinstate our insurance after a glitch in the system.  We are on track now.

Best Wishes,
Karen Hillen
4/16/2012

I am sending this card to say thanks for the funds you donated to my account to help with medication. You just don't know how much I do appreciate it. I will never forget  you guys. I still have joy. I call myself  SWAT, Servant With A Testimony.  I feel so much better. All I can say is look at God.

Trena - Texas Heart Transplant Recipient
Transplant Recipient
08/13/2013

The American Transplant Foundation was able to help Jose give the Gift of Life to his friend by providing critical financial assistance when nobody else would. After Jose's wife unexpectedly lost her job, the family feared they would be unable to afford their monthly rent if Jose donated his kidney, like planned, the following week. Because Jose would receive no income during his recovery period, this family was in financial jeopardy and needed help.

Jose, living kidney donor 

https://youtu.be/kPDOWCIX-FA

Watch this video of Jose and his kidney recipient filmed on the morning of their surgery - just one day after being granted emergency financial assistance.

I would like to thank you for the transplant Patient Assistance Program grant you awarded me. It helped me out more than I can ever thank you for! Helping my brother out was never a question but your grant and foundation made it a lot easier and less stressful for me to give a kidney to him! From the bottom of my heart I thank you!

Jenna - Kansas
Living Kidney Donor
6/7/2013

First, I would like to say that I am very glad and honored to have been a help to my friend and Pastor, Doug.

I wish to thank Jenny for being a help to me. She kept me informed, answering all questions and responding quickly. Thank you to all the good people at American Transplant Foundation for help with paying some of my bills. I am not able to work for 3 to 4 weeks so your help is greatly appreciated. I truly wish to say thank you to the executive director and the board of directors as well.

Mike - Colorado
Living Kidney Donor
2/28/2013

"I'm very grateful for the help I received from you. Assistance paying my insurance premiums gave me access to vital insurance coverage while my wife looked for employment and allowed us to save for future premiums payments. Thank you so much for everything that you did to help my family."

Thomas, a husband, father and heart recipient - Michigan
Heart Recipient
12/12/2012