Support Frank Nappo's Heart Transplant Journey

Hello Everyone,

This week my family received the bittersweet news that my dad, Frank Nappo, needs a heart transplant. Earlier this spring he was diagnosed with Cardiac Amyloidosis and his heart at that time was functioning at 35%. Most patients with this diagnosis go on to live and function without much disruption to their daily lives. However he has experienced many complications and his heart just can’t keep up. As you can imagine this news comes with an abundance of emotions not to mention an onslaught of unexpected expenses for my parents. I am starting this GoFundMe in response to the overwhelming offers of the many messages of “how can we help?”.

Through your generosity I would like to offer a financial gift to them to ease their burden.

Up until a day ago, I had no idea what a heart transplant entailed. It’s truly a process or should I say journey, one that has begun very quickly and unexpectedly. There are many steps to getting on a transplant list. Currently my dad is in the ICU waiting for a bed to open up at New York University. He will be taken by Mercy Flight and upon arrival his 2 week evaluation will begin. At that point the final decision will be made if he can be put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. My mom will need to travel to New York City immediately, an 8 hour trip by car, and stay for the 2 week evaluation. I’ll mention here that this is just one of the unexpected expenses. She needs to stay near the hospital (being his caregiver, she is part of the evaluation too) which just so happens to be located in the most expensive area of New York City. After the 2 week evaluation, if he is approved, he will then stay in the hospital there awaiting a donor heart. This could take days, weeks, months per the doctors all the while staying in the ICU. The whole time his heart will be kept going by a balloon pump. My mom will also be traveling back and forth to visit him and then ultimately need to stay with him after his surgery until he recovers. This is about another month of lodging at a hotel or Airbnb near the New York University hospital. So far I have only mentioned the financial burden related to the travel for the transplant itself. At this time we are unsure what the co-pays, life long prescriptions, follow up care, and what insurance won’t cover. If you search the internet for the price of a heart transplant and its associated costs, you will see it’s similar to a small mansion. With that being said, please only give what you feel called to donate. Any amount will be treasured and appreciated.

Lastly, I want to actually say something about the person my dad is to me and to others. My dad is an exceptional human being in every way. Most men his age would not even initially qualify for a heart transplant. His heart is the only thing holding him back. My dad has always demonstrated to anyone watching what it means to be physically fit. My earliest memories are of him waking up early, in the darkness of his bedroom, seeing him doing pushups and sit ups. I don’t believe he ever missed a day until the last couple of months. As a young man hunting with my dad, he was always the one you could count on to haul a deer out of the woods or climb a deer stand and sit patiently for hours in the same position waiting for that perfect moment. Chopping and stacking wood for heating in the winter was a regular chore for him that he did with ease. Reeling in a big fish out of Lake Erie was done with little effort or at least he made it look that way. In my mind, there was and is nothing my dad can’t do physically. There is no doubt that his fitness regimen helped him as a firefighter, maximum security prison corrections officer, carpenter, and all the other side quests he took on to provide for his family. All those are great examples of how he has demonstrated strength to all of us. However, there is one way that stands out the most, my dad’s faith in Jesus Christ. How he lives it out has set the bar high for the rest of us. He is known far and wide for his contributions to his friends, church community, and family. If there is something broken, he is there to fix it. Need help building a deck? Call Frank. Have a fish fry coming up? He will be there to work…then eat. But ultimately what has set him apart from the rest is his vocation as a husband of 47 years, father to myself and my sister, grandfather to 3 boys and 2 girls, and God willing many great-grandchildren. I truly believe his mission in life was to set the example. I only hope to be half the man he is. Though I know my dad can carry a heavy load and it’s been shown to us many times, let’s lighten this one together as much as we can.

On a last note. I need to mention my beautiful mom. My dad would not be the man he is without her and 100% definitely could not move through this situation without her by his side. She has never once complained or thought anything was impossible. Her faith in God is an inspiration and source of strength for not only him but all of us too. I really desire to take this extra stress of financial worry from her as much as possible so she can just focus on taking care of my dad and herself. This will be a trying time and they are being put to the test. But God is victorious and is already answering prayers.

I really cannot thank you all enough and I know my parents will forever be grateful for your generosity. You can be assured of my prayers for you and know that your donation will be used wisely and prayerfully.

Don’t forget to kiss your loved ones and tell them you love them!

Also, please of course, share this.

With a grateful heart,

Francis Nappo