Angela Whitley

Angela Whitley

Transplant Type:  Heart

Angela Whitley is fighting for her life. She has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, ischemic  cardiomyopathy,  coronary artery disease of the large and small vessels and Type 2  diabetes. Coronary microvascular (small vessels) disease occurs when the arteries are 100% blocked, but are so tiny that they cannot be stented or worked on with angioplasty. It is common among type 2  diabetics such as herself.  Her disease is severe and there is no treatment available.

Over the past eleven years, Angela has had five heart attacks, been in and out of the hospital undergoing fourteen heart caths, angioplasty, and seven stents.  In 2018, she had a triple bypass, but her condition has continued to decline. Now doctors say a heart transplant is critical to her survival. Angela is also preparing to receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep her heart pumping while awaiting her transplant.  The LVAD would require a 4-6 week stay near the hospital during recovery that is not covered by insurance.

This has been an extremely challenging time for Angela as she is not able to be as independent and active as she once was.  Angela is thankful for the love and support of her children, grandchildren, family and friends, but wishes they didn’t need to be so concerned about her health. Before her health began to worsen, Angela enjoyed crafting and spending time with her family, but these days her activities are quite limited. She is looking forward to the transplant that will allow her to live her life with as few limitations as possible. More than anything, she simply wants to lead a normal, healthy life. But right now, she needs your help.

Unfortunately, Angela’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.  The average heart transplant costs more than $1 million. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover the cost of the transplant, she still faces significant medical expenses related to the surgery. She will need a lifetime of follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. These medications are very costly, and they’re as important to her survival as the transplant itself.

Angela lives over 180 miles from the transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Angela and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital for 4-6 weeks during recovery, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Angela. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Tennessee Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Angela Whitley” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:  Vanderbilt University Medical Center