NaTanya Bates

My name is NaTanya, and I am Nathan’s daughter. I currently work full-time while raising two children as a single mother. I created this GoFundMe to help support my dad through his heart transplant journey by assisting with caregiving, medical expenses, travel costs, medications, and recovery-related needs. The Situation & Medical Urgency My dad is currently awaiting a heart transplant—a life-changing medical journey that requires intensive, around-the-clock care and a long recovery process. Recently, doctors discovered a blood infection in his LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device), making an immediate heart transplant medically necessary. He has been hospitalized since April 24, 2026, and will remain in the hospital until a donor heart becomes available. Because of the severity and urgency of the infection, he is currently listed as a Level 2 transplant patient, meaning he is a very high priority on the waiting list. The Road to Recovery Once the surgery is complete and he is stable enough to leave the hospital, the road to recovery will still be long. He will be staying with my great-aunt and great-uncle, who will provide 24/7 care and transport him from our area to Iowa City for crucial follow-up appointments and weekly biopsies. Why We Need Your Help I am starting this GoFundMe because I must take unpaid time away from work to be present for my dad during his transplant surgery, hospital stay, and intensive recovery process. At the same time, my dad faces a mountain of medical bills that no family should have to face alone. Every dollar raised will directly ease the overwhelming weight of this journey, helping to cover the endless travel costs and hospital parking fees for daily visits, the mounting medical expenses for his life-saving anti-rejection medications and recovery supplies, and the critical caregiver support he needs for 24/7 care, while ultimately protecting our home and providing essential living expenses for my children and me while I take unpaid leave to help my father during this journey. Note: My dad is fully aware of this GoFundMe and has given permission for his medical information to be shared. We are committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates on his progress throughout this journey. How You Can Support Us Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean the world to our family as we fight to get my dad through this. If you are unable to donate, simply sharing this page with your network and keeping my dad in your thoughts and prayers is deeply appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, love, and support.