Caitlin O'Donnell
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$7,209
raised by 46 people
$25,000 goal
Caitlin O’Donnell
Transplant Type: Heart
Update: Caitlin received a heart transplant on May 13, 2018!
Caitlin O’Donnell is fighting for her life. In 2004, she was diagnosed with chronic systolic heart failure. Her diagnosis was all too familiar, as her mother died from the same illness just two years earlier. Since her initial diagnosis, Caitlin’s health has drastically declined and doctors now say a heart transplant is critical to her survival. Caitlin was added to the transplant waiting list in February.
During this difficult time, 29-year-old Caitlin is grateful for the love and support of her husband, Dan, and their family and friends. It’s been difficult for her father and brother to watch her suffer from the same disease that took her mother’s life and for her husband to watch his young bride lose her health and endurance. Caitlin looks forward to receiving a transplant that will give her back her energy and allow her to be active again. She hopes to return to the activities she once enjoyed, like riding horses, hiking, and traveling. 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. Caitlin had to stop working due to her declining health, further adding to the financial burden.
When she receives her transplant, Caitlin will have to temporarily relocate to be near the transplant center as she recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Caitlin. 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 Caitlin O’Donnell” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Patient Health Institute: Oregon Health Sciences University