Stephen Strait

Steve Strait

Transplant Type: Kidney

Steve Strait is awaiting a new lease on life. He has been sick since May of 2018. Steve suffers from diabetes, and it has taken a toll on his body, especially his kidneys. He now faces end-stage kidney failure and also deals with neuropathy. Although switching to hemodialysis has helped his neuropathy, he has already suffered considerable nerve damage in his arms, legs, and hands as a result. Steve’s dialysis leaves him tired and affects his quality of life. Doctors say a kidney transplant is necessary. Thankfully, his brother, Jeff, will serve as his living donor, and donate one of his own kidneys in order to save Steve’s life. The surgery is scheduled for February 26, 2020!

During this difficult time, Steve is thankful for the love and support of his family and friends. Steve is a single father of three children, ages 13, 15, and 17, and his illness prevents him from being as active with them as he would like. His family is very close, and Steve’s mother, sister, brother, and other family members help him as needed.

Steve enjoys spending time with his kids, family camping trips and get togethers, going four-wheeling, and helping others—but his health and dialysis schedule have prevented him from being as active as he once was. He looks forward to receiving a transplant that will free him from dialysis and give him back his energy. Steve wants nothing more than to be healthy so he can enjoy an active life with his family, be able to watch his children grow up, and live his life to the fullest. But right now, he needs your help.

The average kidney transplant costs more than $414,000, 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 expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. Steve lives more than 70 miles from his transplant center. 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.

Steve and Jeff have their own business, but Steve’s health forced him to stop working in 2018. Jeff has carried on, often working seven days a week to help keep the business going and assist in providing for Steve and his kids. While the medical costs related to Jeff’s kidney donation are covered by Steve’s insurance, he will still feel a financial impact. When the transplant takes place, Jeff will have to stop working for two months while he recovers. This will place a financial burden on both Steve and Jeff’s families, as no income will be coming in from their business

.You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Steve. 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 Steve Strait.”

Transplant Center: University of Michigan Medical Center