Geraldine Carbonella

Gerri Clingan-Carbonella

Transplant Type:  Double Lung

What if you were living on borrowed time?

Gerri Carbonella is fighting for her life. In 2005, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After a grueling two year battle, including radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant, she was deemed cancer free in 2007. Unfortunately, Gerri’s victory came at a price.  The cancer treatments damaged her lungs and caused her to develop chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and bronchiectasis.  Now, doctors say a double lung transplant is critical to her survival. While awaiting her transplant, she relies on an oxygen tank for every breath. 

This has been a difficult time for Gerri, as she’s used to being much more independent and active. After beating cancer, she was ready to start her life again, but her illness has robbed her of that opportunity.  Before Gerri’s health began to decline, she loved being active outdoors, exploring new places, dancing, singing loudly, and spending time with her family, but these days her activities are quite limited. She looks forward to fulfilling her dream of climbing Mount Zion and exploring our country after her transplant. More than anything, she wants to spend many more years making memories with her daughter, son, grandson, family and friends. But right now, she needs your help.

Unfortunately, Gerri’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.  The average double lung transplant costs more than $1 million. 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 daily anti-rejection medications, which are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

Gerri lives almost two hours from the transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Gerri and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital during recovery, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Gerri. 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 Gerri Clingan-Carbonella” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:  UF Health Shands Hospital