Andrea De La Cruz
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$25
raised by 1 people
$15,000 goal
Andrea de la Cruz
Transplant Type: Heart
Andrea de la Cruz is fighting for her life. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure four years ago while pregnant with her second child. At that time, she learned her heart function was sharply declining. Six months after giving birth, she received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or “artificial heart” which helps her heart pump while she waits for a donor heart to become available. Unfortunately, Andrea is all too familiar with heart disease, as it runs in her family. Her illness leaves her very tired and takes a toll on her quality of life. Doctors say a heart transplant is critical to her survival.
During this difficult time, Andrea is grateful for the love and support of her husband, Leobardo, and their family and friends. Andrea has two sons, ages 4 and 9, and her illness prevents her from being the active wife and mother she longs to be. She looks forward to receiving a transplant that will give her back her energy and allow her to be active with her family again. Andrea used to enjoy swimming, going to the park, taking walks with her family, and shopping, but her health prevents her from doing those things now. She wants nothing more than to be healthy so she can feel better and enjoy a normal life with her family. But right now she needs your help.
The average heart transplant costs more than $1 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, she still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Andrea lives more than 100 miles from her transplant center and has to travel back and forth for appointments. When she receives her transplant, she will have to stay nearby while she recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging. Andrea’s declining health forced her to stop working, further adding to her financial burdens.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Andrea. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Oklahoma Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Andrea de la Cruz” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Patient Health Institute: Baptist Integris Hospital