David Durrance is a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with heart disease nine years ago and has been struggling with this condition ever since. He was managing his condition through life changes and medication until September 2013 when he almost lost his life after an operation to attempt to help his heart work better. David was fortunate enough to be sent to Tampa General Hospital where the doctors and surgeons saved his life by implanting a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD). He has recovered from that operation but needs a lifesaving heart transplant.
David grew up in Palmetto, Florida where he spent most of his waking hours fishing in the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay. He learned to make cast nets as a young boy and used those skills to start his own company, Talon Nets (named after his oldest grandson). He not only is a fishing enthusiast but he believes fishing is a character builder and has played a huge role in the person he is today. He is a strong, patient and caring husband, father and grandfather. David needs our help in getting him back to making cast nets and in the water with his grandsons: Talon, Miles, Devon, Justin and Colton.
Since receiving the LVAD, David has not been able to keep up with making his cast nets and his wife, Debbie, has been unable to work because she is his full-time care giver. With little income and a lot of extra medical expenses, David’s financial burden is growing. From his time as a United States soldier, the VA covers most of the costs of his medical expenses and some is covered by Medicare. However, there are many out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by insurance including copayments and insurance share-of-cost up to $6,000 per year, medications, mileage to the hospital and doctor appointments, and additional medical supplies needed for his care.
To help with the financial burden of David’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
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Thank you in advance for your prayers and support of David’s journey to getting a new heart. His family, especially his grandsons, are anxious to have their D-daddy healthy and back in the water again.
Gratefully,
Kathy Platt, David’s youngest daughter
912-659-6691
[email protected]
