Lori Vodden

Lori Vodden

Transplant Type - Heart

In 1992, Lori was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and she endured surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat the disease. After a visit to the ER because of a persistent cough in 2013, she learned the chemotherapy and radiation had severely damaged her heart. Doctors now say a heart transplant is critical to her survival, and they’ve implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to act as a mechanical heart while she awaits the transplant.

This entire health battle came as quite a shock to Lori and her husband, Chris, and their two sons. Thankfully, their strong faith has carried them through even the most difficult days. It’s been tough for her to adjust to the limitations of her illness, such as the fact that she can no longer go to the gym, take walks, and do things around her house. Despite these challenges, she’s optimistic about the future and looks forward to the transplant that will allow her to live a life inspiring others. But right now, she needs your help.

The average heart transplant costs nearly $1 million. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, which will cover the cost of the transplant itself, 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, which are as critical to her survival as the transplant. Because of her declining health, Lori had to stop working, adding to the financial strain.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Northwestern Memorial Hospital