Kevin Freson

Kevin Freson

Transplant Type: Double Lung

Kevin Freson is awaiting a new lease on life. In 2016, he noticed that he would get winded while doing simple activities. In September of that year, he got sick the week before his son’s wedding with what he and his doctor thought was bronchitis. He received several steroid shots, which allowed him to attend the wedding, but after the wedding, he was hospitalized with what they thought was pneumonia. Over the next two years, Kevin continued to have issues with his lung function and was hospitalized several times. He was ultimately diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). He is now on continuous supplemental oxygen in order to breathe, and simple day-to-day tasks are now very difficult. Doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical to his survival. Before he can be listed, his transplant center is requiring him to raise funds.

During such a difficult time, Kevin is thankful for the love and support of his wife, Kristi, and their family and friends. He has four sons, two daughters-in-law, two granddaughters, and two grandsons and his illness prevents him from being the active husband, father, and grandfather he longs to be.

Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandkids, grilling on his patio, gardening, and playing golf, but his illness prevents most activities now. He looks forward to receiving a transplant that will free him from supplemental oxygen and give him more years with his family. He wants nothing more than to be healthy so he will be able to be active with his grandchildren, go hiking with his wife, resume golfing with his brother and sons, and enjoy life with his family. But right now, he needs your help.

The average double-lung transplant costs more than $1 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

Kevin lives 185 miles from his transplant center. When he receives his transplant, he will have to temporarily relocate to be nearby while he recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging. Kevin’s declining health forced him to stop being an outside sales rep and move to inside sales—and he now has to work from home due to his health.

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

Transplant Center: Vanderbilt