Nick's Medical Fund

Our brother needs a NEW HEART and YOUR HELP.

Your gift will help my brother with a number of expenses, such as gaps in his medical insurance coverage, transplant-related issues, as well as relocation and transportation costs.



Hello and thank you for visiting Nick’s fundraising page.

My name is Paul Tran and I’m writing this on behalf of my brother, Nick, and our family. Our brother is 47-years-old, parent to a wonderful son, and blessed with a group of loving, supportive family and friends.

Nick came down with what he thought was a cold in February of this year. Despite two weeks of rest, he didn’t get better. In fact, his symptoms worsened: just before he saw a doctor, he experienced shortness of breath, swelling in his legs, and had little energy. By the time my brother was admitted to the local hospital, he had come close to having a heart attack.

The next morning, NICK WAS TOLD HE HAD STAGE D ADVANCED HEART FAILURE.  My brother’s heart failure also harmed his liver, kidneys, and pancreas, which CAUSED HIM TO DEVELOP TYPE 2 DIABETES.

Because his condition was so serious, he was taken to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). There, Nick began receiving a drug called Dobutamine intravenously, which helps his heart maintain a steady rhythm. He will continue using this drug until it becomes ineffective. Afterward, he will need a mechanical heart pump if a suitable donor heart cannot be found.

In short, A HEART TRANSPLANT OFFERS HIM THE BEST LONG-TERM HOPE FOR LIFE.

When my family and I visited Nick at the hospital, I learned from his doctors that this could have happened to anyone. My brother caught a virus, much like the common cold. But, unlike you and me, his body couldn’t protect itself from this virus, and it attacked his heart. I was also told that if Nick had waited much longer before seeing a doctor, he would likely have died.

My brother was living a full life before he became ill. For many years, he was a teacher at the same campus where he learned to play kickball, often to children who, like him, grew up speaking a language other than English in the home. Afterward, he enjoyed the challenges of prosecuting domestic violence cases, which helped to protect some of the most vulnerable within the community. 


Our family arrived in America as refugees in 1975, following the fall of Saigon. Like all loving parents, ours worked hard in order to provide us with an opportunity to succeed, to earn a better life.

Unfortunately, this illness has made MY BROTHER TOO WEAK TO WORK. In addition to becoming easily tired, Nick must now ALWAYS WEAR FIVE POUNDS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OVER HIS SHOULDER. Ordinary tasks, such as showering or changing, take twice the time they once did because he must account for his portable defibrillator and his Dobutamine intravenous pump. Despite these challenges, my brother has relocated to Portland in order to receive the treatment he needs at OHSU.    

Before he became ill, one of Nick’s favorite weekend activities (in addition to hiking and exploring Bend) was visiting with his son, Keegan, a student at the University of Oregon. Despite my brother’s illness, he has every intention of attending Keegan’s graduation in 2017.

My brother is looking forward to many more wrestling matches with the newest additions to our family, my sons Dom and Don. He is looking forward to welcoming grandchildren into our family. And my brother is looking forward to making a difference in the lives of those around him once he returns to work.    

Thank you again for visiting Nick’s donation page and, on behalf of our family and friends, we extend our gratitude for your kindness, generosity, and support.