In February of 2018, I had an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) placed. It’s basically a heart pump and that’s what is keeping me alive. In February of 2019, my LVAD got a clot. They took me to surgery to do a pump exchange. The surgery did not go well. I was in surgery almost 20 hours in 2 days. After the first day of surgery they put me on life support and told my family they didn’t expect me to make it through the night. Some time during those 2 days I had a stroke. I was told I wouldn’t make it through another surgery if my pump clotted again.

I am in desperate need of a heart transplant. The average cost of a heart transplant is $1.3 million. The average cost of the anti rejection medications is $5000 a month. Insurance will pay a portion of these costs but my out of pocket expenses will be significant. After transplant I will have to live in Dallas for 3 months with a caregiver. I will also have follow up care in Dallas at Baylor the rest of my life. This will result in significant costs for travel, lodging and food for me and my caregiver.

It’s so hard for me to ask for help but these costs are more than I can handle by myself. Anything anyone can give to help would be life changing even if only a few dollars. If you can’t give maybe you can share my story with others on your social media and help me reach my goal.

Family and friends of Lisa McLemore are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Lisa has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!