Robert Rice

Robert Rice 

Transplant Type: Multivisceral

Robert Rice is awaiting a new lease on life. In 2007 while he was a high school student, he was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. His diagnosis came as a shock, as he had been a previously healthy teenager with no family history of liver disease. A liver biopsy revealed his diagnosis, and also indicated advanced cirrhosis of the liver. At that time, he was put on immunosuppressant medications and told that he would eventually need a liver transplant. Since then, other issues have presented themselves as well, including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and a cavernous transformation. As a result, a liver-only transplant would cause serious surgical complications and doctors now say a multivisceral transplant is necessary.

During this difficult time, Robert is thankful for the love and support of his wife and high school sweetheart, Malissa, and their family and friends. Robert’s condition has caused a lot of worry for his family. His mother took the lead on his medical issues when he was younger, and he credits her diligence in keeping him on track and helping him stay as healthy as possible.  

Robert’s condition has shaped his adult life, as he’s been dealing with it for more than a decade. He has learned to manage things the best he can, but even so, there are still a few days each month he is very sick and in no shape to work or do much activity. He enjoys working on projects ranging from programming to cooking to working on his car, and for the most part, he doesn’t allow his condition to prevent him from doing the things that make him happy. After spending so many years knowing that a transplant was looming, he is ready to finally receive a transplant so he will feel better and be able to begin the road to recovery. He wants nothing more than to be healthy so he can continue living life to the fullest and enjoy time with his family. But right now, he needs your help.

The average multi-visceral transplant costs almost $2 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover the cost of the transplant, 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.

Robert lives nearly 500 miles from his transplant center, and traveling back and forth for appointments can be expensive. 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.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Robert. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Robert Rice” in the memo line.

Transplant Center: Georgetown