Jeanette's Heart Transplant Fund

This website is established to help our friend, Jeanette Smith receive a heart transplant and support her through recovery.  A Rhode Island resident for over 30 years, there are countless ways Jeanette is tied to our community.  Prior to working at URI in Dining Services, she owned two restaurants- Casanovas in Wakefield, and Sal’s Pizza in Charlestown, Rhode Island.  Jeannette  and her children, Rebe and Weston have resided in South Kingstown, RI for over 20 years and are known for their passion for helping others and their dedication to hard work.

In 2013, Jeanette was diagnosed with a genetic mutation of her cardiac troponin gene and restrictive cardiomyopathy.  This means that her cardiac muscle is too stiff to pump blood through her heart and consequently prevents her heart from reaching blood flow capacity.  Often too fatigued to walk more than a few hundred feet, Jeanette has lost the ability to lead her life in the vibrant way in which she loves.

Jeanette needs a heart transplant in the near future and this is where we need your help.  At the end of June, Jeanette and her daughter Rebecca are moving to Tampa, Florida so she can be waitlisted for a heart transplant at Tampa General Hospital.  The cost of first-year heart transplant expenses are estimated at $1 million dollars (www.transplants.org).  And while the expenses keep adding up, Jeanette and her daughter Rebecca will be out of work for the duration of her recovery.  We are asking for donations to help the Smith family while Jeanette fights for her life. 

Please consider donating to Jeanette Smith’s Heart Transplant Fund on our GoFundMe site.  Your generous donations will go towards supporting the Smith family through Jeanette’s heart transplant and recovery. Whether you have $1 or $100 to spare, your contributions mean the world to the Smith Family.

Thank-you for taking the time to hear Jeanette’s story. To learn more about transplants, please visit www.transplants.org .