Ivan Kermit Harrell

Ivan K. Harrell

Transplant Type - Heart

We're thrilled to report that Ivan received his transplant on September 15, 2013!

In 1993, Ivan was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia and high blood pressure. Doctors implanted a defibrillator that kept his heart in rhythm, and he was later diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and a blood clot. He also had 50% blockage of his main artery. Doctors said a heart transplant was critical to his survival.

Ivan was hospitalized many times throughout the years, and he had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted in 2010. The LVAD acted as a mechanical heart while he awaited his lifesaving transplant.

Despite these challenges, Ivan has always remained optimistic and looks forward to resuming his normal life after recovering from his transplant. He is a certified tennis teaching professional, and one of his greatest joys in life is nurturing and developing children and young adults into future tennis players. His goal is to one day open a residential tennis academy for disadvantaged youth in his community.

The average heart transplant costs more than $1 million And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, he faces considerable medical expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care that could cost as much as $21,000 a year and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of his post-transplant medications can range from $5,500 to $7,000 per month--and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: UNC Hospital