Stephanie Houseman

Stephanie Houseman

Transplant Type:   Kidney

What if you were living on borrowed time?           

Stephanie Houseman is awaiting a new lease on life. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the age of sixteen.  Stephanie was able to achieve remission and live her life.  Over the past fifteen years, she has been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, which affects her thyroid, antiphospholipid syndrome, which caused a blind spot in her eye due to a blood clot, lupus nephritis, Meniere’s disease, and she developed hearing loss in her left ear. She has undergone many treatments to save her kidneys, such as chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive drugs, but Stephanie’s kidneys finally failed in 2021, and she was forced to begin dialysis.  These treatments leave her exhausted and take a toll on her quality of life. Now doctors say a kidney transplant is critical to her survival. 

This has been a difficult time for Stephanie, as she is not able to be as active as she once was. She is extremely grateful for the love and support of her husband, Johnny, their two yorkie-poodles, family, and friends, who have been by her side every step of the way. Before her health began to decline, Stephanie enjoyed traveling, trying new foods, and spending time on the lake, but these days, her activities are extremely limited. She looks forward to the transplant that will allow her to live life with as few limitations as possible. More than anything, Stephanie wants the opportunity to start a family with Johnny, but right now, she needs your help.

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

The average kidney transplant costs approximately $442,000. 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 anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself. 

Stephanie must travel more than 550 miles to reach her transplant center for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Stephanie and Johnny will need to stay near the hospital, for up to a month, during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Stephanie.  

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 Stephanie Houseman” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity! 

Transplant Center:   Mayo Clinic Rochester

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