In April 2011, at the age of 41, Noel learned he had Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy. The Doctors told him he was “lucky to be alive” given how weak his heart muscle was. The cause of his condition was a virus that “attacked” his heart. Noel was also diagnosed on the same day with type 2 diabetes. It has been a whirlwind since his diagnoses. Only five weeks after this began, Noel had a defibrillator implanted in his chest and a catheter placed in his arm connected to a device that sends medicine directly into his heart to help it pump. This is designed to keep him going until he can get a heart transplant, the gift of life that will return him to health.

Funding this life-saving surgery as well as pre and post transplant treatment and medicines is very expensive. Noel has health insurance, but many of the expenses are not covered and he will ultimately be responsible for several thousands of dollars of expenses. At this point, in order for Noel to be on the transplant list, it is imperative we raise at least $20,000.00, which is the estimated cost of the anti-rejection medication Noel will need for the two years following the transplant surgery. This puts us up against a challenge that we are unable to meet alone and we need your help desperately.

To help with the uninsured expenses and alleviate some of the financial burden, a fundraising campaign has been established in Noel’s honor with HelpHOPELive. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for over 30 years. All contributions are administered by HelpHOPELive exclusively for uninsured transplant-related expenses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Please consider making a contribution in Noel’s honor today.

Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive

Write on the memo line:
In honor of Noel Westman

Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

For credit card contributions, please call HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399 or select the DONATE NOW button.

I feel very blessed with the love and support of my family and friends who have helped me each day through the journey of this new chapter of my life. I greatly appreciate your positive thoughts, prayers and contributions. Your continual support and energy will help give me the strength to survive the challenge ahead. I do not know how to express enough how grateful I am for each of you. With your help, I will return to what I know and love in life: traveling, fishing, ice hockey, bowling and even walking my dogs in the park. ~Noel