Aug 10, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
A coalition of four historically Black medical colleges and universities has announced a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of African American registered organ donors, training more Black transplant surgeons, and eradicating inequalities among transplant...
Aug 3, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
I was lucky. Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but I underwent two liver transplants before turning 28. And while I waited approximately 19 months for each donation, I got them before dying a preventable death. Many patients awaiting donors aren’t as fortunate. In...
Aug 2, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Hello, I’m Bill Catlette. For 8 years I’ve been on the board of directors of the National Foundation for Transplants, a national, Memphis-based nonprofit that advocates for organ and tissue transplant patients and helps them raise critically needed funds for uncovered...
Jul 28, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Have you ever wanted to do something to help others but couldn’t decide where to start, how to help, or whom to help? Like most donors, you want your financial donation to make a real difference in someone’s life . . . to have a direct impact, personally. However,...
Jul 25, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Kim Lute is the Regional Marketing Manager for Morehouse School of Medicine’s Cardiovascular Research Institute. Before joining Morehouse, Ms. Lute worked as Peabody and DuPont award-winning journalist for CNN International. She later wrote for the Huffington Post...
Jun 29, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
“Sometimes you need to walk away from who you are to find who you are to become. That’s where I am.” — Lisa Schaffner in 2009 about her choice to leave broadcast journalism after over two decades as a news anchor for a position with UNOS. When joining...
Jun 8, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Initially, no other university hospital equipped to perform an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) was able to accept and admit 22-year-old Lexi Lester. Like many hospitals facing sporadic bed shortages across the United States, the hospitals contacted for...
May 23, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
(Above Photo) Kidney Donor Athletes’ One Kidney Climb. Twenty-two kidney donors climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to promote living donor organ transplants. Our society is accustomed to complete strangers donating gifts to people they do...
May 13, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
According to Michigan Medicine’s Inherited Kidney Diseases Clinic, more than 60 genetic diseases are currently known to directly or indirectly affect the kidneys. Inherited kidney conditions range from relatively common conditions to very rare syndromes. The clinic...
Apr 27, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
NFT pediatric patient, Hannah, and her parents speak about her transplant journey during Give Blood, Share Joy blood drive. When Hannah was eight years old, turning nine, she spent almost an entire year in the hospital. Her health issues started with concerning...
Apr 21, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, Terry Shaffer was one of the first responders to arrive at Flight 93 crash site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in a field near Shanksville. The plane had crashed in Shaffer’s fire district. Tragically, there were no survivors...
Apr 14, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Winner of USA Today’s 2021 Best of Humankind Awards, 66-year-old Mark Scotch, termed the phrase “Organ Trail” to describe his cycling journey he started to raise awareness about living organ donation. Scotch’s fourth trail began in March. He rode his bicycle...
Mar 31, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
The first three, algebra, geometry, economics are learned in school. The last one, compassion, is learned along the way to adulthood. Maybe at home. Maybe at a place of worship. Maybe, even, in school. This is the case with Tom Murtaugh, he mastered all four. ...
Mar 23, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Update 5/6/2022: HBCU medical schools to tackle organ transplant disparities A Historical Snapshot Experts say minority and rural communities are underserved. As early as the 1970s, advocates in the organ transplant community were seeking ways to better engage...
Mar 16, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
(originally posted March 2021) Receiving a new kidney through an organ transplant offers a second chance at life for patients who have longed to live a normal life free from years of suffering. A kidney is one of those organs that can be donated by a living donor...
Mar 10, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Jim Reineking of USA Today, gives readers an explanation of the video below showing professional soccer players Kljestan and Hegardt exchanging jerseys, “In 2010, Galaxy player Sacha Kljestan — then a member of Chivas USA — visited a cancer patient at Children’s...
Feb 1, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Shown above: NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora (an organ donor) died recently from injuries suffered when an armed domestic violence suspect kicked through a door and opened fire. (Photo source: NYPD) Slain New York City policeman, Officer Wilbert Mora, told his family of...
Jan 18, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
Everyone has an opinion about whether to wear a mask, receive the vaccine, or social distance during these times. That’s understandable although most doctors and scientists agree that if our society adheres to these basic standards, we can help save lives. ...
Jan 11, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
When Jeanie married her high school sweetheart, Tony Clark, they looked forward to a long, blissful union. They settled down in Oklahoma and started their family. They raised two children, a son and daughter, both of whom excel in their chosen careers: the son as a...
Jan 4, 2022 | News, Press, Press Releases
On the first day of the year, Americans enjoy watching two events to celebrate the new year: The Rose Bowl Game and Rose Parade. Two spectacular events produced by the Tournament of Roses. Among the many floats in the parade is Donate Life’s float built by...
Dec 30, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
During a record-breaking year for transplants, National Foundation for Transplants has helped those who could not afford out-of-pocket expenses related to a transplant: hospital deposits, medical copays, travel, to and from transplant centers, lodging for overnight or...
Dec 15, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
“Twenty years ago, God provided my family a hero. A gift of continued life for our dad.”– Brenda Kennedy Blankenship In 1991, Bradley Kennedy was diagnosed with a life-threatening, late-stage liver disease which had scarred and damaged his liver. The liver...
Nov 30, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE: TEGNA in partnership with Vitalant and the National Foundation for Transplants sponsors Blood Drive MEMPHIS, TN: The “Give Blood, Share Joy” campaign has been developed by TEGNA Memphis in partnership with the Memphis offices of Vitalant and the...
Nov 9, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
Hip Hop may not be your favorite genre of music but for millions of fans worldwide it is their preferred type of music, especially the old-school Hip Hop. The father of Hip Hop, MC Kurtis Blow, is an organ transplant recipient. He is also a living legend who became...
Nov 2, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
Reposted in recognition of GivingTuesday, a global day of generosity that will take place on November 30, 2021. Your tax-deductible donation will help NFT continue it’s lifesaving work. Why wait? Make your gift today! The Dorsey’s Story The lives of one...
Oct 25, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
A recent story in The Times is capturing the hearts of parents. It is gut-wrenching to watch a child suffer with a life-threatening illness. Yet, there are thousands of parents who are faced with that predicament right now. But this story has a happy ending....
Oct 19, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
“My biggest concern was the reimbursement process would be difficult or overly burdensome. Nothing could be further from the truth. The process was straight forward and easy to follow. The quick turn around on payments exceeded my expectations. We cannot stress...
Jun 30, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
A fortunate stroke of serendipity occurred one day when two co-workers, Tia Wimbush and Susan Ellis, of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta struck up a conversation while washing their hands in the ladies’ room. It was just casual chit-chat since the women didn’t...
Jun 21, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
CARRIERE, Miss. (AP via FOX59 News): Father’s Day, like Mother’s Day, is filled with heart-warming stories highlighting the special relationship and bond shared between parent and child. A story emerged this recent Father’s Day that echoes the...
Apr 27, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
Eric Buchanan lived a life of service. He was only in his thirties when he transitioned this world. People described Eric as a fighter and a “go getter” of the millennial generation. He was an extremely motivated person in every aspect of his life. He battled...
Apr 23, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
During Kids Transplant Week, transplant dad and UNOS board member, Joseph Hillenburg, provides an update on his son, Ben, who is lovingly referred to as Mr. Recycled Parts. He also offers insight into what life was like for transplant families in 2020. During the...
Apr 20, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
The day after Penelope Hansen was born, doctors told her mother there was a problem, but Penelope was not diagnosed with biliary atresia until she was five weeks old. Biliary atresia is a rare pediatric liver disease, in which the bile ducts are missing or blocked. It...
Mar 23, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
Receiving a new kidney through an organ transplant offers a second chance at life for patients who have longed to live a normal life free from years of suffering. A kidney is one of those organs that can be donated by a living donor from a family member, friend, or...
Mar 9, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
Losing a loved one is never easy. Working through grief can be a long, hard process. To channel their grief, many families chose to honor their loved ones by helping others. “While some people erect plaques, statues or buildings to remember a loved one who has...
Mar 3, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), help for living donors may be imminent due to changes that may occur nationally related to present and future benefits for living donors. A kidney is one of several organs that can be donated by a living donor to a...
Jan 19, 2021 | News, Press, Press Releases
2020 was a challenging year for everyone, particularly those who are immunocompromised like the transplant patients served by the National Foundation for Transplants. Thanks to organ donors, transplant centers, and the generosity of supporters, . Over 190 NFT...
Dec 22, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
It’s been well over a week now since Poppy left home. I’m Poppy’s wife, Julie, and Poppy’s real name is Nick Monaco. On Friday, December 11th around 1:00 pm, Poppy and I had just finished with lunch when the call came from the hospital. The day started off as not a...
Dec 16, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Have you ever wondered what’s the financial benefit in donating stocks to charity? Let’s take the epic year 2020 into consideration. The year of the life altering, unforgettable COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus spread across the globe, the stock market fell. If you...
Dec 1, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Cardiothoracic surgeon and transplant specialist, Dr. Marzia Leacche, is set to lead Spectrum’s heart transplant and VAD program. Dr. Leacchie joins an exclusive group of female surgical directors, perhaps five in the entire country, according to officials who say...
Nov 18, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Support the greater good with a financial donation to the National Foundation for Transplants! NFT Greatest Need Support A Patient Shop Amazon...
Nov 11, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Another recent report reveals the human spirit of kindness and compassion is alive and thriving. The number of living organ donors helping strangers continue to grow. Joe Napsha with the Tribe, a Pennsylvania newspaper, reports on the latest act of donor kindness,...
Nov 3, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
The lives of one southern Indiana family has been touched by all life has to offer: love, tribulations, success, even an act of force majeure. It has been a roller coaster ride for this close-knit family who always remember to extend kindness to one another and...
Oct 27, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Three years ago, Breanna Sipple, while scrolling her Facebook newsfeed, came across a status update from Rich Francis. Rich was appealing to family, friends, and followers on behalf of his wife, Erin, who was in need of a kidney donation. Erin suffered from a...
Oct 20, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Earlier this year, the National Foundation for Transplants covered the story of the first COVID-19 lung transplant patient, Mayra Ramirez. Since Mayra’s double lung transplant, there have been five more successful lung transplants performed in the United States and...
Oct 12, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
“If you have a car, motorcycle, ATV, lawn mower, bicycle, or pony, please join us on Highland Street,” Richard Creamer announced. “Let’s show little Genny and her family some big love.” Creamer, referred to as a hero for his thoughtfulness, is the neighbor of a sweet,...
Oct 6, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Tennessee is the home of the National Foundation for Transplants headquarters. Although records are sketchy, it appears it may also be the state that holds a unique piece of transplant history. On September 7, 1985, Dr. David Glassford, now retired, performed a heart...
Sep 30, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
San Anselmo, California resident Missy Schwen Ryan holds four world records. In 1996, she and her rowing partner won a silver medal during the Olympic games held in Atlanta. In 2000, they won a bronze medal during games held in Sydney, Australia. Additionally, they...
Sep 22, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
“Although blood and marrow transplant (BMT) can cure leukemia and lymphoma, some people can’t find a fully matched donor. And people with diverse ethnic backgrounds may have more difficulty finding a match. New research shows that two types of partly matched...
Sep 15, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Jim Taylor, a writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, in his Savvy Senior beat, received a question from a senior citizen, “Am I too old to be an organ donor?” The question came from a senior who said he never thought about becoming an organ donor until his brother...
Sep 9, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Americans are a resilient group and we love to celebrate important milestones. Recently, Vanderbilt Health, a transplant center that NFT has worked with for many years, discharged a patient and a celebration was in order. Lee Foster, after his recent kidney...
Sep 1, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
What it is. How to get involved. How to offset expenses. Organ donation from a living donor provides a transplant patient with shorter or no wait time; quicker recovery time; and improved long-term outcomes making living donations the preferred type for donations like...
Aug 25, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Earlier this year when NFT first reported a COVID-19 patient had received a double-lung transplant the world didn’t know the patient’s name or much else about them except they were struggling to recover from surgery. However, at the time, it was revealed the patient...
Aug 19, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
As NFT celebrates National Minority Donor Awareness Month, we recognize the important work started by Howard University during the late 1970s. In 1978, one of the country’s most well-known HBCUs Howard University, embarked on a journey to discover the feelings and...
Jul 14, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
At the age of 13, JaShawn Lemar Scott signed up to be an organ donor. He’s the son of KeShaunta and Justin Scott. His mother said JaShawn led a purpose-filled life and had a heart of gold. Four years after becoming an organ donor, JaShawn’s decision saved five...
Jun 30, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Al Nykamp, a NFT patient, was diagnosed with three conditions, hemophilia, Hepatitis C, and cancer over his lifetime beginning when he was a newborn. He shared in an interview in May with Rene Wisely of Michigan Health that being cured of his conditions was...
Jun 24, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
When the National Foundation for Transplants opened its COVID-19 Response Center in April, it was to help transplant patients navigate financial challenges during a difficult time. Patients who had either received their transplant or were waiting for their second...
May 12, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Memphis Business JournalJason BoltonData Editor and Health Care/Innovation ReporterMay 7, 2020, 1:59pm EDT “The James D. Eason Transplant Institute at Methodist University Hospital has continued life-saving transplants throughout the coronavirus pandemic....
Apr 22, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Reprinted by permission of Dr. Alin Gragossian. Original title “Restrictions” follow her transplant journey at A Change of Heart Last year, after my transplant, I had restrictions. People would ask me all the time, “Okay, like you’re good now,...
Apr 8, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases, Special Appeal
The COVID-19 pandemic has created special challenges for transplant patients. Included among the “most vulnerable population” by the Center for Disease Control these patients also face significant financial challenges. Two doctors who are also organ transplant...
Mar 27, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases, Special Appeal
Dr. Lilian Lam is a microbiologist, and received her transplant amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Alin Gragossian received her transplant just over a year ago, and is an emergency medicine resident at the frontlines in the fight against the outbreak. Two heart...
Mar 2, 2020 | News, Press Releases
The year 2019 was a record-breaker for living donor transplants. In a recent update to those astonishing numbers, UNOS took a look at hospitals leading the way in living donor liver transplants. According to a newly released report, “61 transplant hospitals across...
Jan 29, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
The year 2019 was the 7th consecutive record-breaking year for transplants. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) close to 40,000 transplants were performed nationwide with nearly 7,400 of those being “living donor” transplants. The number of...
Jan 14, 2020 | News, Press, Press Releases
Living donors are transforming organ and tissue donations in the United States. While transplants from living donors have been around for a while, many transplant patients are unfamiliar with this option. Transplant centers are empowering patients through education...
