Maria Maldonado
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$1,825
raised by 13 people
$20,000 goal
Maria J. Maldonado
Transplant Type: Double Lung
Maria Maldonado is awaiting a new lease on life. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Her diagnosis came as a shock, as there is no family history of lung disease. Maria’s lung function has declined since her diagnosis, and she now relies on supplemental oxygen around the clock. Doctors now say a double-lung transplant is her only hope for survival.
During this difficult time, Maria is thankful for the love and support of her family and friends. She was recently widowed after being married to the love of her life for 35 years. Maria has 8 children, 24 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Her illness prevents her from being the active mother and grandmother she longs to be. Maria enjoys singing, being active with her family, and volunteering with her church choir, but her illness prevents her from doing those things now. Simple day-to-day activities are hard for Maria. She looks forward to receiving a transplant that will save her life and free her from supplemental oxygen. Maria wants nothing more than to be healthy so she can feel like herself, be able to sing again, and enjoy spending time with her family and friends. But right now, she needs your help.
The average double-lung transplant costs more than $1.2 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, 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. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Maria lives 55 miles from her transplant center, but due to traffic, it can take up to three hours to get there. When she receives her transplant, she will have to stay nearby while she recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Maria. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Rhode Island Transplant Fund, 3249 W Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Maria Maldonado” in the memo line.
Transplant Center: Massachusetts General