Katie Tuff's Heart Transplant Fund

Katie Tuff is an incredible survivor with a complex medical history.  When Katie was only six years young she was diagnosed with a Willms’ tumor. Immediately she underwent surgery, chemo and radiation followed by a bone marrow transplant. Katie’s strong spirit and faith carried her through those initial health hurdles and she lived an incredible young life. She finished her undergraduate degree, in Nursing, in 2009. As an adult she fulfilled her own dreams and traveled to some of her favorite places in the world.

In 2009, Katie began to see the side effects of her childhood treatments and was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Being the resilient lady she is, she remained strong and managed her own care and medication, alongside her cardiology team.

However, 2017 has been a rollercoaster ride for Katie. After multiple doctor visits, lab tests and procedures, this spring, it was determined Katie sustained a mixed type of heart failure. One type is Anthracycline induced, which was caused by her chemotherapy. The other is Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM), which was caused by the radiation. RCM caused the most concern because it is a rare form of heart muscle disease that restricts filling of the ventricles. The squeeze of the heart and heart wall thicknesses are usually normal, but the relaxation or filling phase of the heart is very abnormal. This occurs because the heart muscle is stiff and does not allow the ventricular chambers to fill with blood, normally. This "back up" of blood in the atria (top chambers of the heart), lungs and body cause the signs and symptoms of heart failure. Restrictive can take a turn for the worst quite suddenly and the only therapeutic treatment is a heart transplant.

Katie was immediately placed on the transplant list and miraculously she received a call from UNOS this week that there was a heart suitable for her. Katie is currently in the Transplant ICU at the University of Minnesota recovering from a successful heart transplant last night! Katie will now start the long road to recovery. Even though she has good insurance coverage, a transplant is a tremendous financial burden.

Katie will have to temporarily relocate to be near her transplant center, take anti-rejection medications and participate in follow-up medical care. This will result in lost wages as she will be unable to work during this time. The out-of-pocket expenses will add up quickly and likely continue for a lifetime. If you have the means and feel compelled, we are asking for a donation on behalf of our amazing lady, Katie Tuff.

Thank you and God Bless You!