My husband and I learned today our 8 month old niece needs a liver transplant. Due to other reasons none of the other family members can be tested as a match. My mother in law asked my husband to see if he is. My husband and I are both going to be tested as well as my mom. And as a family we know what needs to happen if we are. But our problem is my husband has been out of work for 4 months and has finally found a job. We don't have health insurance and are letting go of things not needed (i.e. cable and cell phones) and are behind on our car. So the question I have does anyone know if there are services to help cover the cost of transplant surgery. We need to do this as a family and it would be easier if we didn't have 5 kids of our own that we have to provide for. Any advice or agencies that could answer questions would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
My niece is now 9 months and she is suppose to be going to Indianapolis on January 13 for test and start the process for a transplant. She is currently not doing so hot. She is in Childrens in Dallas because her breathing is not good and she has a infection in the blood which is infecting her liver even more. We have been told her liver is failing so we are just praying they will be able to do the transplant soon. Thank you to all who gave advice.
I don't know about services that can help other than Ronald McDonald house but a fundraiser always helps .You can do it through your kids schools your church or community ,stores etc.. If you have a fundraiser let me know and if I am open I will volunteer my time and face painting and balloon skills.-I can't volunteer for every cause but kids are where my heart is ,Razzle Dazzle the Clown
If you or your husband are a match there should be no medical cost to you. Your niece's insurance is responsible for the donor medical cost. This should include all pre and post transplant medical cost. I do not know of any program to help the donor family with any living expenses while the donor is recovering from the surgery. The programs I know of are for the recipient.
The hospital where your niece is planning on receiving the transplant should have a transplant social worker, and a transplant financial coordinator. I would get with them to see if they know of any programs for the donor's family. I would also go to the financial coordinator if you get any medical bills for anything related to pre and post transplant medical testing or treatment.
Before I had my son I did work as a transplant financial coordinator at an area hospital and would be glad to answer any questions you or your family may have. It's been about two years so the hospital staff will know the more up to date information, but I would be glad to lead you down the right path.
I hope your niece receives the transplant she needs. Do not be afraid to use the staff at the hospital that is what they are there for.
Yes, there are avenues of help. I was fortunate to have had a liver transplant 2 years ago. The Liver Institute at Dallas Methodist Hospital was amazingly competent, friendly, helpful....call them. Just blurt it out, what your situation is, a transplant coordinator will tell you what you can do. Email me, I will assemble some other info for you that I found helpful when I faced that expense.
Also, there is no need for tissue match in transplanting a whole liver - only blood type. It depends on if your niece needs a whole liver or if a partial transplant can be done. Baylor does those, Dallas Methodist does not.
I don't know the details of your situation, but I know it's scary. Don't despair.
C. ____@____.com
I'm just throwing this out there, but if your husband is a match contact the media. Maybe a news story would get you some help. What your family is doing to take care of one another is wonderful. I think people would want to help.
Hello H. one thing that you guys need to be concern about and ask about if he does become a match how will it affect his future insurance. I seen on the news the other day were some one donated one of there kidneys to someone and they could not get health are life insurance because the Insurance company felt they were high risk. This is just FYI
Hi H.. I think it's great that you and your family are doing this together for your niece. I hope and pray that you find a match for her. Contact www.BeTheMatch.org. They have help for the cost of the surgeries, we make donations for that. Good luck and God Bless.
A.
The social service person at the hospital has information like that. Also, I would go to your neighborhood church. Sometimes people sponsor that sort of stuff.
Hi H.,
Here in Fort Worth, Cook Children's Hospital has a transplant coordinator that works with the families of the donor, the recipient, and the hospital staff. I'm not sure which hospital you are considering, but call or look for the transplant coordinator to help you answer some questions.
Congratulations to you husband for finding a job. Good luck to your family.
Peace,
M.
I work with someone who ran the transplant program at Baylor here in Dallas. First, I hope the patient is being treated either at Baylor or Children's on 35 (not Methodist or Children's at Medical City). The Baylor program is far more superior and very well established. Secondly I know that finances are of utmost concern, for the transplant as well as the rejection meds needed after surgery. I think for children that Medicaid is an option. The financial piece should be addressed by the program your neice is in. Again, hopefully it is through Baylor. Good luck.
I would talk to your family and let them know your situation- and ask if they would all be willing to help you guys out with the medical bills should either you or your husband be a match. I would think that they would be more than willing to help out. Other than that- I am not sure about help with paying for a surgery like that.
Praying for you and your family.
~C.
A close friend of mine was put in the same situation that is facing your family. He was found to be a match for his father, and donated one of his kidneys to his father a month later. ALL of his expenses were covered under his father's insurance. As I understand it, when a living donor is used, the medical costs are covered under the insurance coverage of the person needing the transplant. I don't know the details of your niece's situation, so that might not apply, but I would check with the hospital that will be performing the surgery as well as your niece's insurance.
Mt. Sinai Medical School in NY, NY has a living donor program and has an online FAQ that answers many of the questions that potential donors have. It can be found here: http://www.mountsinai.org/img/vgn_lnk/Regular%20Content/F...
One last note... Most hospitals have a charitable organization/foundation that assists working adults with their hospital costs. Approaching that organization for assistance in covering the costs of transplant surgery is another option.
I wish you luck in your search for information... Let us know how everything turns out!
