Help Joe Heal: Support Joe's Transplant Surgery and Recovery

Courtney Nichol is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hi everyone,

We are reaching out to share the story of Joe and to ask for your support as he takes on one of the most important journeys of his life.

Since his early 20s, Joe has lived with Type I Diabetes and as a result has suffered from end stage kidney failure. Subsequently, Joe has undergone years of dialysis treatment and painful procedures associated with such treatment. For years Joe has been awaiting kidney and pancreas transplant surgery. On the evening of August 6th, Joe received "the call": donor organs had become available and he was a match. This call was an answer to countless prayers and felt like a small miracle, one that will serve to extend and significantly improve Joe's life. The next day, Joe's transplants were successfully completed and he is now recovering from this extensive and life-changing surgery.

The Schanys are incredibly grateful to the organ donor and medical team that made this surgery possible. But this period is challenging; a surgery of this magnitude involves enormous medical and living expenses - expenses which are critical for Joe's recovery - as well as managing post-op appointments and complex medication schedules.

Joe will be facing weeks of recovery time and as a result will incur major expenses. Some of the major expenses that are required of this transplant surgery and recovery include:

Medical expenses not covered by insurance (for the transplant itself and post operative care)
Lodging and accommodations to remain near the transplant center, a requirement of the transplant facility (4-6 weeks post-operatively)
Post-op medications including life-saving anti-rejection medications and lifelong follow-up care
Additional living expenses that will be incurred due to the extensiveness of this recovery, including the financial impact on caretakers and family members who will be traveling to support Joe during this time

The Iowa Donor Network has historically been able to offer a grant to organ recipients to receive funding to help cover lodging expenses (Anatomical Gift Transplantation Fund or AGTF). Unfortunately, at this time the AGTF does not have any available funds for disbursement and is not accepting new applications.

This transplant is a second chance at life, but the weight of the financial burdens can make the road to recovery more challenging. We are asking for your generosity to help with these expenses - every donation, large or small, helps ease the financial burden so he can focus on healing, not hospital bills. If you are unable to contribute financially, you can support Joe by sharing this campaign and sending your prayers and positive vibes Joe's way.

Joe and the entire Schany family are known for their big hearts, generosity, and loyalty to family, friends, and their communities. They do so much for others - let's do our best to try and give back to them.