Merrill Vogel

Merrill Vogel

Transplant Type: Heart

Update: Merrill received a transplant on April 13, 2020!

Merrill Vogel is awaiting a new lease on life. He has always been healthy—eating a balanced diet, swimming laps and walking regularly. It came as quite a surprise when Merrill was told he needed to see his cardiologist immediately after some standard medical testing in October 2013; he didn’t even have a cardiologist. Yet, by the following March, he underwent open heart surgery and an arduous 4-month recovery. Just 6 months after the surgery, in September 2014, Merrill knew something was still wrong, because his belly was filled with fluid. At this point, his doctors diagnosed him with congestive heart failure and implanted a defibrillator. For a few years, life returned to normal, but in February 2019, his defibrillator went off twice, and Merrill thought his time was done. Now doctors say a heart transplant is critical to his survival.

During this difficult time, Merrill is thankful for the love and support of his family and friends. He’s been married to his wife, Patty, for over 40 years, and she has been a lifesaver and caretaker, as well as a great source of encouragement for Merrill. Together, Merrill and Patty have 5 children, Kimberly, Katie, Ben, Paul, and Kelsey. Each of their children are successful and wonderful people, and Merrill is so proud to be their father. He also has an incredible team of co-workers, associates, managers, and clients that he’s worked with for almost two decades as a Senior Tax Manager at Deloitte LLP. While his illness means he likely won’t be able to return to work, his colleagues have been a tremendous support.

Merrill looks forward to receiving a transplant that will enable him to feel good again. He loves being active, whether it’s taking walks with Patty, swimming, or participating in 5ks. However, lately he’s had to conserve his energy, so he mainly walks laps around his house. Merrill is trying to stay as strong as possible, so that he can recover better and faster once he receives his new heart. He cannot wait to wake up in the morning and have the energy to go about his day. More than anything, he hopes to make more memories with his amazing family and travel to new places with his wife. But right now, he needs your help.

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

Merrill lives 115 miles from his transplant center and traveling back and forth frequently for testing, treatments, and appointments can be expensive. Additionally, he and Patty sometimes have to stay a night or two. When he receives his transplant he will have to relocate for at least 3 months to be near the hospital while he recovers, as well as return trips for regular biopsies to ensure his body accepts his new heart, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging.

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Baptist Integris Hospital