I need help with Post Liver Transplant costs
Donation protected
I have never done this, so I don’t know if I’m doing it right.. and my timing could not be worse with all that is going on, but here goes…
I need your help. I will need a Liver Transplant. Your donations can help with post-transplant costs and will be matched by the Georgia Transplant Foundation up to $10,000.00 if donations are made by July 15, 2020.
This is my story of a unique Autoimmune Disease and the repercussions of it.
I’m Teresa Baxter. I grew up in Tampa, Fl. but have called Marietta Ga. my home since 1991. I have a husband who I adore, a son who just got married to a sweetheart, and a daughter who is in college with the goal of being a nurse. I have sisters and a brother and loads of nieces and nephews. I'm an avid fan of Pro American Football (GO BUCS!!) and I love to ghost hunt when I can.
In 2013. I started feeling sick, they ran additional blood tests and had a liver biopsy done since those liver enzymes were so high. They received the biopsy results, it showed I was in Stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, and had a condition called Autoimmune Hepatitis. This condition has identified my liver as a foreign object and my body was killing my liver. Let me make this clear, I don’t drink, this had nothing to do with alcohol, this was my body trying to kill my liver, and was really doing a great job of it. We were able to manage the progression of the attacks with a steroid and an immunosuppressant until November 2018. It was then determined that the immunosuppressant was no longer effective.
In February 2019 I went through an episode of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Hepatic Encephalopathy is a decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease. In this condition, your liver can't adequately remove toxins from your blood. This causes a buildup of toxins in your bloodstream, which can lead to brain damage. I am on medications to help my body rid itself of the ammonia build up.
In March 2019, I met with a Hepatologist who told me I am at End Stage Liver Disease and will need a Liver Transplant. August 2019, I was placed on the transplant list as my autoimmune disease makes it more likely I will get real sick very quickly.
All that brings me to why I am writing to you. My insurance is covering the transplant, what I am going to need help with are the maintenance drugs I will need to be on and other items pertaining to the transplant. The cost of immunosuppressive medications typically ranges from $20,600 to $32,900 per year and even with insurance, co-pays can be unaffordable, not to mention Dr visits and testing necessary.
But the good news, and this is where you can help, I have been given the opportunity to join the Georgia Transplant Foundation. They have a program that I can join that will act as a liaison between funds collected and funds paid out. First let me say this. I WILL AT NO TIME HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THESE FUNDS. They collect the funds and they will pay out from those funds for prescriptions, Dr visits, anything medical relating only to the transplant. And between now and July 15, 2020 they will match any deposit made up to a total of $10, 000.00.
So, if you can donate it would be very much appreciated. If you can’t I totally understand, times are hard and weird right now. If you want to send hugs and prayers, I will always take those.
You guys are terrific, you’re are on my friend list for a reason. I love you all. If you want to share this, please go ahead.
I need your help. I will need a Liver Transplant. Your donations can help with post-transplant costs and will be matched by the Georgia Transplant Foundation up to $10,000.00 if donations are made by July 15, 2020.
This is my story of a unique Autoimmune Disease and the repercussions of it.
I’m Teresa Baxter. I grew up in Tampa, Fl. but have called Marietta Ga. my home since 1991. I have a husband who I adore, a son who just got married to a sweetheart, and a daughter who is in college with the goal of being a nurse. I have sisters and a brother and loads of nieces and nephews. I'm an avid fan of Pro American Football (GO BUCS!!) and I love to ghost hunt when I can.
In 2013. I started feeling sick, they ran additional blood tests and had a liver biopsy done since those liver enzymes were so high. They received the biopsy results, it showed I was in Stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, and had a condition called Autoimmune Hepatitis. This condition has identified my liver as a foreign object and my body was killing my liver. Let me make this clear, I don’t drink, this had nothing to do with alcohol, this was my body trying to kill my liver, and was really doing a great job of it. We were able to manage the progression of the attacks with a steroid and an immunosuppressant until November 2018. It was then determined that the immunosuppressant was no longer effective.
In February 2019 I went through an episode of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Hepatic Encephalopathy is a decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease. In this condition, your liver can't adequately remove toxins from your blood. This causes a buildup of toxins in your bloodstream, which can lead to brain damage. I am on medications to help my body rid itself of the ammonia build up.
In March 2019, I met with a Hepatologist who told me I am at End Stage Liver Disease and will need a Liver Transplant. August 2019, I was placed on the transplant list as my autoimmune disease makes it more likely I will get real sick very quickly.
All that brings me to why I am writing to you. My insurance is covering the transplant, what I am going to need help with are the maintenance drugs I will need to be on and other items pertaining to the transplant. The cost of immunosuppressive medications typically ranges from $20,600 to $32,900 per year and even with insurance, co-pays can be unaffordable, not to mention Dr visits and testing necessary.
But the good news, and this is where you can help, I have been given the opportunity to join the Georgia Transplant Foundation. They have a program that I can join that will act as a liaison between funds collected and funds paid out. First let me say this. I WILL AT NO TIME HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THESE FUNDS. They collect the funds and they will pay out from those funds for prescriptions, Dr visits, anything medical relating only to the transplant. And between now and July 15, 2020 they will match any deposit made up to a total of $10, 000.00.
So, if you can donate it would be very much appreciated. If you can’t I totally understand, times are hard and weird right now. If you want to send hugs and prayers, I will always take those.
You guys are terrific, you’re are on my friend list for a reason. I love you all. If you want to share this, please go ahead.
Organizer
Teresa Baxter
Organizer
Marietta, GA