Dale Kolessa
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$150
raised by 2 people
$25,000 goal
Dale Kolessa
Transplant Type: Heart
Dale Kolessa is fighting for his life. Nineteen years ago, he had a heart attack and was diagnosed with heart failure. Unfortunately, heart disease runs in Dale’s family. In 2018, while hospitalized for heart issues, he contracted MRSA. The infection affected his heart, making his existing issues even worse. Doctors now say a heart transplant is necessary. Dale recently underwent surgery to receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or “artificial heart” which will help his heart pump while he waits for a donor heart to become available.
During this difficult time, Dale is grateful for the love and support of his wife of 47 years, Vicki, and their family and friends. Dale and Vicki have three children, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, and his illness prevents him from being the active husband, father, and grandfather he longs to be. Dale looks forward to receiving a transplant that will allow him to feel better and have a better quality of life. He used to enjoy fishing, bowling, and boating, but his illness prevents him from doing those things now. Dale wants nothing more than to be healthy so he can resume his active life, spend more time with his family, and return to the activities he once enjoyed. But right now he 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, he 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.
Dale lives nearly 300 miles from his transplant center, and traveling back and forth for appointments can be expensive. When he receives his transplant he will have to temporarily relocate to be nearby while he recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Dale. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Florida Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Dale Kolessa” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Patient Health Institute: Advent Health