Eileen Bartolotta
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$11,160
raised by 54 people
$30,000 goal
3 days left
January 17, 2023
It has been 3.5 years since Eileen has had her double lung transplant. It was rough going for the first 2.5 years due to a bronchial tube collapsing.
Since August of 2019 she has had 4 Inventional Pulmonologists trying to fix the airway, and over 90 bronchoscopies (most to open the airways). Finally she had a stent placed in one of her bronchial tubes on January 29, 2021 and it has been a life changer. She still needs a bronchoscopy every 6-10 weeks, but it is a quick procedure and she is back to living her life.
Sorry for the lack of updates, but Eileen did not want to worry people, during the post transplant issues.
Eileen Bartolotta
Transplant Type: Lung
Visit the Team Bartolotta Page for current updates!
Eileen's Story
In 2001, Eileen Bartolotta was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma. Since then, her lung function had declined, and she required the assistance of supplemental oxygen in order to breathe. Doctors said a lung transplant was critical for her survival.
On July 4, 2019 Eileen had a successful double lung transplant at Advent Hospital in Orlando.
During such a challenging time, Eileen is thankful for the love and support of her husband, Peter, and their family and friends. Eileen has three children and three grandchildren. She is now free her from supplemental oxygen and getting back to a normal life again. Eileen’s youngest granddaughter Sarah, suffers from cancer. Eileen wants nothing more than to be able to be an active wife, mother, and grandmother and to be there as Sarah goes through her own health battle.
The average lung transplant costs more than $785,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the cost of the transplant, she faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Eileen lives more than 150 miles from her transplant center, and has to travel back and forth for appointments. Since the transplant she travels to Orlando at least 2-5 times per month, and the travel expenses, along with co pays for medicine and procedures continue to grow.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Eileen. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Eileen Bartolotta” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Patient Health Institute: Advent Health