Margaret Lavoie

Meg Lavoie

Transplant Type: Liver

What if you were living on borrowed time?

Meg Lavoie is fighting for her life. She had been experiencing worrisome symptoms for a few years but kept receiving contradicting conclusions from doctors. In 2020, Meg found herself in the hospital and finally received a diagnosis- end-stage liver failure. While she is glad to know the cause of her sickness, the reality of what the diagnosis means is overwhelming.  Doctors say a liver transplant is critical to her survival.

Meg used to lead an active, independent life, but her health battle has forced her to adjust to an entirely new lifestyle. She can no longer work, nor can she spend as much time with her grandchildren as she would like. Meg has spent years caring for her loved ones, but now she must rely on them for her own care. She is often fatigued and suffering from nausea, which prevents her from enjoying her favorite activities of going to the flea market on the weekends or traveling to visit her family in New England. She dreams of the transplant that will restore her energy and give her a chance to live her life again. More than anything, Meg hopes to spend more time with her loved ones and to see her grandchildren grow up, but right now, she needs your help.

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

The average liver transplant costs approximately $878,000. And that is 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.

Meg lives more than an hour from the transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Meg 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 the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Meg.

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 Meg Lavoie” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:   University of North Carolina Hospitals

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