Annette Leonard

Annette Leonard

Transplant Type – Double-lung

In 2012, Annette was diagnosed with polymyositis, a rare muscle-wasting disease that sometimes coincides with interstitial lung disease. Two years later, she developed breathing difficulties. After referral to a pulmonologist, she learned that her lung capacity was down to just 30%. Subsequently she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and now doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical.

Annette is incredibly thankful for her wife, Bec, and their supportive circle of family and friends. Bec works from home and is able to care for Annette and takes her to many of her medical appointments. Annette is grateful to have her by her side, and she is thankful for their extended community members who have provided rides, meals, and helped around the house and yard when these tasks have become too difficult.

Before her health began to decline, she led a very active life and loved traveling, singing, dancing, roller skating, and taking long hikes with Bec and their dogs. She can’t wait to regain a sense of normalcy post-transplant. She looks forward to visiting her family in Indianapolis, and she dreams of seeing more of the world with Bec. Most of all, she wants to simply live without devoting so much time and attention to the business of breathing. She has spent her career serving her community as a diversity program manager, a mediator, and a sign language interpreter. In her city, she volunteered for many years with the human rights program; for such an extrovert it’s been difficult to cope with the adjustment of spending so much of her time confined to the house. Asking for help is hard. But right now, she needs your help.

The average double-lung transplant costs approximately $800,000, 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 daily anti-rejection medications, which are as critical to her long-term survival as the transplant itself. During the first three months after Annette’s transplant, she and Bec must temporarily relocate 300 miles from their home to be near the hospital. That will entail substantial expense.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: University of Washington Medical Center