Tonya Barker
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$8,009
raised by 13 people
$35,000 goal
POST OP 1 MONTH
We have made a one month milestone. Its been a rough road traveled but most of all the hardest part is how many speed bumps are in this road. Tonya is doing amazing but wants to do things faster than the course allows. She has always been a go getter and wants to go 100 miles an hour but has to travel at a reduced speed now. The benefit was not short of a miracle and so wished she could have presently seen the love and support that she was showered with. The community has opened up their hearts and poured love in numerous ways that I can not describe. Continue to keep Tonya's progression in your prayers along with Kevin as he has been by her side the entire ride. Praises to all and to the Lord above.
Tonya Barker
Transplant Type: Double Lung
What if you were living on borrowed time?
Tonya Barker is fighting for her life. She was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans in July 2020. Her diagnosis came as quite the shock, since she had never heard of the disease before she became ill. Tonya’s condition has continued to worsen, and now doctors say a double lung transplant is critical to her survival. While awaiting her transplant, she relies on an oxygen tank for every breath.
This has been a difficult time for Tonya, as she is used to being much more independent and active. She is thankful for her husband, Kevin, their two children, family and friends, who have been by her side every step of this journey. She wishes they did not need to be so concerned about her health but is grateful for their love and support. Before her health began to decline, she loved being outside in the sun, working with her flowers, walking, and spending time with her loved ones, but these days her activities are quite limited. She looks forward to the transplant that will allow her to live her life with as few limitations as possible, return to work, and spend many more years making memories with her family and friends. But right now, she needs your help.
Unfortunately, Tonya’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.
The average double lung transplant costs more than $1 million. And that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover the cost of her transplant, she still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications, which are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Tonya must travel more than two hours to reach her transplant center for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Tonya and Kevin will need to stay near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food and lodging. Due to her deteriorating health, Tonya was forced to stop working the job she loved, adding to the financial strain.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Tonya.
If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT New York Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Tonya Barker” in the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Transplant Center: Duke University Hospital