Tracy Phelan

Tracy Phelan

Transplant Type: Kidney

What if you were living on borrowed time?

Tracy Phelan is awaiting a new lease on life. She has battled type 1 diabetes since 2001, and in 2014, she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Tracy’s condition has continued to worsen, and she was forced to begin regular dialysis treatments in January 2020. Dialysis leaves her exhausted and takes a toll on her quality of life. Now doctors say a kidney and pancreas transplant is critical to her survival.

This has been a difficult time for Tracy, as she is not able to be as active as she once was. She is extremely grateful for the love and support of her boyfriend, Jason, and their son, Derek, who have been by her side every step of the way. Before her health began to decline, Tracy enjoyed walking, golfing, and spending time with her family and friends, 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, and to watch her son grow up, but right now, she needs your help.

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

The average kidney and pancreas transplant costs approximately $713,000. 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’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

Tracy must travel more than 120 miles to reach her transplant center for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Tracy and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital 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 Tracy.

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 Tracy Phelan” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:  Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital