Curtis Kaanapu

Curtis Kaanapu

Transplant Type: Kidney

Curtis Kaanapu is awaiting a new lease on life. Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes. He managed it as well as he could, but last year he began to feel short of breath. He was concerned about a heart attack, so he went to the hospital and was admitted. After a series of tests, Curtis was diagnosed with stage-4 kidney failure. His diagnosis came as a shock because he hadn’t had any symptoms. Curtis’s illness leaves him tired and takes a toll on his quality of life. Doctors say a kidney transplant is critical.

During this difficult time, Curtis is thankful for the love and support of his fiancée, Marie, and their family and friends. Curtis and Marie have a new baby girl, Kaia. Curtis also has two step-children, Laryssa and Mason, and two step-grandchildren, Rosemary and Sonny, who live with him. He looks forward to receiving a transplant that will allow him to be the active husband, father, and grandfather he longs to be. Curtis wants nothing more than to be healthy and feel like himself again. He wants to be able to play basketball with his stepson, get in the floor and play with his daughter and grandchildren, and take his wife on dates—but his health limits his activities now. Curtis is ready to put his health issues behind him so he can live his life to the fullest and be able to take care of his family again. But right now, he needs your help.

The average kidney transplant costs more than $414,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, Curtis still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

Curtis is still working, although he can no longer drive, so Marie has to take him to work each day. He and Marie both have new jobs without much time off, and they have to take time off for doctor appointments—and will both have to be off for an extended time when Curtis receives his transplant. This causes additional financial worries for the family.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Baptist Integris Hospital