Elvira Gabriel

Elvira Gabriel

Transplant Type: Kidney

What if you were living on borrowed time?

Elvira Gabriel is fighting for her life. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 1997. Elvira suffered a stroke in 2001 and cardiac arrest in 2014. She had a defibrillator placed to help keep her alive, but still, her heart continued to worsen. Her illness has also caused her kidneys to fail, and now doctors say a heart and kidney transplant is critical to her survival.

This has been an extremely challenging time for Elvira and her family. Before her health began to decline, Elvira enjoyed taking long walks, exercising regularly, and attending religious functions, but these days, her activities are extremely limited. She looks forward to the transplant that will allow her to dedicate the rest of her life to Christianity. More than anything, Elvira wants to be able to help people in need and serve the Lord, but right now, she needs your help.

Unfortunately, Elvira’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.

The average heart and kidney transplant costs more than $2.6 million. And that is only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, she still faces significant medical expenses related to the surgery. She will need a lifetime of follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. These medications are very costly, and they are as important to her survival as the transplant itself.

Elvira must travel more than 270 miles to reach her transplant center for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Elvira and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Elvira.

If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125.  Please be sure to write "in honor of Elvira Gabriel” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:   Keck Hospital of USC

If you have any questions about The National Foundation for Transplants, feel free to contact the staff at 800-489-3863.