How Fundraising for Transplant Surgery Can Help Cut Costs

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| 10 min read Crowdfunding

Tissue and organ transplants are, quite literally, lifesavers. But the high costs associated with transplant surgery and recovery can put these transformative treatments out of reach for many.

The transplant process is long, usually lasting around 180 days from pre-transplant testing to hospital discharge. Patients incur a long list of expenses within this time frame — and when combined with months of lost income, the costs can become crushing.

If you or a loved one is in need, fundraising for transplant surgery can be an effective way of covering costs.

Here at GoFundMe, crowdfunding for transplant surgery is something we see every day. The most common procedures are kidney, liver, heart, and specific tissue transplants. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the costs associated with each of these surgeries, as well as providing some creative fundraising ideas that can help you on your journey.

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Organ transplant facts

The most common organ transplant surgeries

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that kidney transplants continue to be the most common organ transplant — followed by liver, heart and tissue procedures.

Patients in need of kidney transplants make up 86% of total surgery waiting lists, according to data from the HRSA. However, patients across the country are struggling to access transplants for various organs and bodily tissues.

Kidney transplants

Roughly 1 in 7 adults are currently affected by kidney disease in the US, though only 10% are aware of their condition according to the National Kidney Foundation. The disease is deadly, causing more deaths each year than either prostate or breast cancer.

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease, but not an ideal long-term fix. Beyond offering an improved quality of life, transplant surgeries increase the life expectancy of those suffering from kidney disease.

Liver transplants

When disease or injury damages the liver, a transplant offers a chance at longer life. There are several factors that determine if a patient qualifies as a candidate for liver transplant surgery.

For those who qualify, the outcome is promising. Between 85-90% of liver transplant surgeries are successful, meaning that the new organ becomes functional and patients survive the year-long recovery process.

Heart transplants

For someone in the end stages of heart failure, the only means of prolonging life is a heart transplant. Patients on the waiting list for a heart transplant have exhausted all other possible treatment options.

The American Heart Association reports that the most common causes of heart failure include past heart attacks, abnormal heart valves, heart muscle disease and birth defects. Fortunately, success rates continue to improve. Over 90% of American heart transplant patients survive for at least one year following their procedure.

Tissue transplants

Although people tend to be less familiar with these treatments, roughly 2.5 million tissue transplants are carried out across the country each year. From injured athletes to war veterans and victims of severe burns — patients often require the replacement of vital bodily tissues and musculoskeletal structures.

A wide variety of tissues are now transplanted, from cornea transplants that restore people’s sight to bones used to save limbs at risk of amputation. Heart valves, veins, and skin are other commonly transplanted tissues.

Transplant surgery costs

The transplantation process is long, usually lasting around 180 days from pre-transplant testing to organ procurement and patient discharge. Within that time, patients will encounter a wide range of medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses.

While prices vary widely by location, surgery type and personal patient circumstances — here is a breakdown of the average cost of various transplant surgeries according to the most recent Milliman Research Report.

  • Kidney transplant cost: $442,500
  • Liver transplant cost: $878,400
  • Heart transplant cost: $1,664,800
  • Cornea transplant cost: $32,500
  • Single lung transplant cost: $929,600
  • Autologous bone marrow transplant cost: $471,600
  • Allogeneic bone marrow transplant cost: $1,071,700

Medical expenses to consider

  • Pre-transplant testing
  • Health care team fees
  • Surgery
  • Insurance co-pays and deductibles
  • Postoperative care and rehabilitation
  • Prescriptions
  • Follow up testing and care

Non-medical expenses to consider

  • Lost wages
  • Transportation to and from transplant center
  • Potential plane travel
  • Food for you and your loved ones
  • Lodging close to transplant center before and after surgery

How to fundraise for transplant surgery

The current cost of transplant surgeries in the US means that they are sadly out of reach for many struggling patients. However, it’s important to remember that you’re never on your own when listed for a transplant procedure.

Countless patients have used GoFundMe to crowdfund for organ and tissue transplant procedures. Even if you don’t raise enough money to completely cover the costs, starting a fundraiser can help to alleviate much of the financial pressure that comes with medical bills. From teaming up with friends and family to taking your fundraiser online — here are some creative ways to fundraise for transplant surgery.

Check out our useful guides to find out more about how GoFundMe works and get answers to your fundraising questions.

1. Write letters and emails

When it comes to fundraising for transplant surgery—or any other meaningful cause—sometimes the simple ideas are the most effective. Crafting meaningful letters or emails is a great way to request donations in a way that feels authentic and personal.

A persuasive fundraising letter should share your story honestly, giving recipients an insight into your unique situation and what your motivations are. You should also include pictures where possible, and let readers know that they can keep up with your fundraising progress on GoFundMe. Don’t be shy about asking for donations, or encouraging readers to share your fundraiser with their network.

The same rules apply for writing an impactful fundraising email. Be clear about your goals and where exactly donations will be sent. Make sure that your subject line is short and informative, engaging readers by creating a sense of urgency.

Check out our range of fundraising email templates which you can use to request funds from individual and corporate donors.

2. Get a transplant team together

Fundraising with GoFundMe is never something that you have to do on your own. If you or a loved one is in need of transplant surgery, why not combine your crowdfunding efforts by forming a fundraising team? Aside from making it easier for your fundraiser to succeed, assembling a transplant team opens up a lot of opportunities for creative fundraising events.

From bake sales and coffee mornings to concerts and trivia nights — the best fundraising event ideas combine imagination with a strong focus on engaging the local community. You can assign everyone on your fundraising team a unique role, and ensure that your event is a success by spreading the word on social media.

3. Spread the word on socials

While grassroots fundraising through your personal network can be effective, sharing your fundraiser on social media allows you to reach a far wider audience of potential donors. Don’t worry if you’re not too social-media-savvy — the beauty of a fundraising team is that you can delegate tasks to people with skills in specific areas.

The key to any successful social media fundraising is attracting an engaged audience. Educate yourself on some interesting facts relating to transplant surgeries, and use your new-found knowledge to create interest on social media.

4. Seek corporate partners

While the power of individual donors should not be underestimated, there’s a lot to be said for seeking corporate support. Instruct your fundraising team to start sending out some emails to local stores, bars and restaurants. It’s always worth asking if they’re willing to partner up through sponsorships, events or even direct donations.

It’s also wise to seek out businesses whose values align with your transplant surgery fundraiser. Local pharmacies, fitness centers or healthcare providers should be more than happy to help — just be clear about the purpose and story behind your fundraiser when you first reach out.

Check out our guide to attracting different types of donors to learn more about winning corporate partnerships for your fundraiser.

5. Take on a challenge

Nothing gets people in the giving spirit like taking on a team challenge, so why not invite friends, family and your wider fundraising team to join you in stepping out of your comfort zone? Walk-a-thons and run-a-thons are classic crowdfunding events, and allow donors to rally around your cause while getting involved themselves.

Don’t worry if you or a loved one is awaiting surgery and not feeling up to a strenuous challenge, there are plenty of more laidback options that people of all abilities can get involved with. You could host a talent show in your local community, or take the challenge online by organizing a themed design or creative writing competition that ties in with your transplant surgery fundraiser.

Financial assistance for transplant patients

While fundraising for transplant surgery can be an immensely effective tool, it’s important to know about other sources of financial assistance that you may be entitled to.

Government support

In the US, some costs associated with common organ transplants are covered by Medicare. You may be able to receive contributions towards medical tests, doctors’ services, medication and finding a suitable organ for your transplant surgery. While you’ll need to meet certain criteria, you can estimate your eligibility and premium on the Medicare website.

Similarly, Medicaid may be able to provide you with some financial support throughout the transplant process. Coverage varies from state to state, so make sure to verify your Medicaid eligibility before exploring what assistance you qualify for.

Grants & Assistance Programs

Don’t panic If you don’t meet the criteria for federal or local government assistance — lots of people find themselves in the same situation. That’s why there are plenty of medical and charitable organizations which do their part to ease the financial burden for transplant patients:

  • The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has developed a comprehensive directory of organizations that offer financial support to transplant patients.
  • The American Transplant Foundation runs a Patient Assistance Program which offers two separate grants for transplant patients based in Colorado. They provide valuable financial aid for transplant recipients and living donors.
  • For students, the Transplant Recipients International Organization offers a TRIO scholarship program for transplant candidates, donors and recipients. They’ll pay $1,000 towards education at colleges and universities throughout the US.
  • The American Kidney Fund runs a range of financial assistance programs for transplant recipients and kidney patients at large.

Start fundraising for transplant surgery today

If you can’t donate an organ or tissue to a loved one, you can still offer much-needed support by starting a fundraiser to help pay for expenses. In recent years, crowdfunding has emerged as a very effective resource for patients facing large medical bills. In the US, there’s no fee to start or manage your fundraiser on GoFundMe, just one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause.

Beyond the money, medical fundraising can also serve as a new source of emotional support to your loved one. A fundraiser functions as a hub of encouragement from donors, reminding your loved one that people want to help. You might even receive support from strangers around the globe, and that in itself is life-affirming. Give the gift of life to a loved one in need — start fundraising for transplant surgery.

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Written by GoFundMe