Donald Afari's Heartfelt Fundraiser
Donation protected
Many know Donald Afari to be affable, easy-going and above all, have a heart of gold. We are reaching out for your support because Don's heart, while golden at its core, needs some repair.
Late last month, Donald was diagnosed with end-stage caridomyopathy heart failure. Getting his heart back to gold will require tremendous support from his friends, family, and of course his medical team. Most immediately, Donald is preparing for two different stages of heart surgery.
The first is a Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD. This is a mechanical pump implanted in the chest to help move blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body. Congratulations are already in order because Donald successfully completed this surgery on Thursday, April 8th!
He will remain in the hospital for the next two weeks to recover before returning home. We know that the first 90 days after treatment will be difficult, seemingly slow, and at times scary. During this time, we could use your support to help with meals, transportation to and from the hospital, doctors bills, and purchasing LVAD-specific clothing (vests, discrete shirts, battery-pack holders) to ensure Donald can be comfortable.
The second stage of surgery is a heart transplant. Donald will be on the waiting list for this heart transplant at both Emory here in Georgia, as well as at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Doctors have advised that receiving a heart transplant could be anywhere from 6 months to one year. During this time, we could use your support to prepare for travel, lodging, and family care to and from Nashville when needed.
So many of you have already reached out to offer your support and for that, we are truly grateful. We may not be able to express the fullness of our gratitude to you at the moment, but please know we are so thankful to our friends and family that have surrounded us during this time.
We know that financial contributions may not be possible. Please consider sharing this message with your network of friends and family to offer their prayers for healing and recovery.
We want to share a big heartful THANK YOU in advance and we look forward to celebrating Don's full recovery with you all soon!
The Afari Family
Late last month, Donald was diagnosed with end-stage caridomyopathy heart failure. Getting his heart back to gold will require tremendous support from his friends, family, and of course his medical team. Most immediately, Donald is preparing for two different stages of heart surgery.
The first is a Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD. This is a mechanical pump implanted in the chest to help move blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body. Congratulations are already in order because Donald successfully completed this surgery on Thursday, April 8th!
He will remain in the hospital for the next two weeks to recover before returning home. We know that the first 90 days after treatment will be difficult, seemingly slow, and at times scary. During this time, we could use your support to help with meals, transportation to and from the hospital, doctors bills, and purchasing LVAD-specific clothing (vests, discrete shirts, battery-pack holders) to ensure Donald can be comfortable.
The second stage of surgery is a heart transplant. Donald will be on the waiting list for this heart transplant at both Emory here in Georgia, as well as at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Doctors have advised that receiving a heart transplant could be anywhere from 6 months to one year. During this time, we could use your support to prepare for travel, lodging, and family care to and from Nashville when needed.
So many of you have already reached out to offer your support and for that, we are truly grateful. We may not be able to express the fullness of our gratitude to you at the moment, but please know we are so thankful to our friends and family that have surrounded us during this time.
We know that financial contributions may not be possible. Please consider sharing this message with your network of friends and family to offer their prayers for healing and recovery.
We want to share a big heartful THANK YOU in advance and we look forward to celebrating Don's full recovery with you all soon!
The Afari Family
Organizer
Kristle ODell
Organizer
Murfreesboro, TN