Debra Friesz

Deb McSweeney Friesz

Transplant Type:  Kidney

Deb Friesz is awaiting a new lease on life. In 2014, her kidneys began to fail. There is no history of kidney disease in her family, so the news came as quite a shock. Her condition has continued to decline, and now doctors say a kidney transplant is critical to her survival.

This has been a difficult time for Deb because she can longer be as active as she once was. She is extremely grateful for the love and support of her family and friends, who have been by her side every step of the way. Deb still enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family, but, she had to give up long walks with her dogs because she’s frequently fatigued. In order to obtain a transplant that will give her more energy and allow her to live a full life, she needs your help. 

Unfortunately, Deb’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.  The average kidney transplant costs approximately $442,000. 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 anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

Deb lives over 2,000 miles from her transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Deb and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital during recovery, adding to the financial strain. Deb is also concerned about the costs that a living donor will incur, and she wants to ensure that these expenses are covered.

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

Thank you for your generosity! 

Transplant Center:  Mayo Clinic Transplant Center