Linda Jara

February 2024 Update: I have been a brand ambassador for the past few years for Help Hope Live and in this role I have had the opportunity to do some many amazing things. One of the more enjoyable, and important, events I participate in is when I go to the Gift of Life, Howie’s House with Sonny or Melanie and get to talk about Help Hope Live with transplant candidates and recipients. I attended the Gala in 2023, sat at table 1, sat with KJ Henry’s mom, an absolutely wonderful woman and won a gift card that I placed a bid on. The fundraisers I participated in during 2023 were a Super Bowl pool, Hope Travels and Giving Tuesday.

“Do you remember? The 21st night of September…”

I do, and so do my family members and friends, because I got ‘The Call’ on that day. My heart transplant surgery started Sept 21, 2016 and ended after 10 hours of surgery on the 22nd. My donor heart went in on the 22nd. I will celebrate my 3rd re-birthday on September 22nd, 2019!

What I thought was the flu turned out to be heart failure. It could happen to anyone: a simple trip to the doctor uncovers a terrifying, life-threatening undiagnosed condition. In 2015, I began living on a LVAD, a life support device that was the only thing that kept my heart beating until I could get a heart transplant.

My social worker suggested fundraising because the cost of a heart transplant and maintaining a transplanted heart can cost millions. Transplant medications alone can cost over $7,000 per month even after insurance kicks in. Currently, my medical bills are well over $4 million.

Thankfully, I have decent insurance combined with the generosity of family, friends, and even strangers who I now consider to be friends. A medial crisis like mine is overwhelming enough without worrying about paying for medication and appointments. Transplant is a form of treatment, not a cure, and I will need testing and medications for the rest of my life to help me stay healthy.

I dedicated 23 years of my life teaching. I gave of myself every single day so I could serve my students best. I had to resign from a career that I loved to take care of myself and tend to the complications that come along with transplant. After giving so much, I now need to ask for help from others. This is not something that is easy to do.

Since my transplant in 2016, my out-of-pocket costs have exceeded $90,000.00. I am on a tight budget and am living off of the disability payments I receive. With your help and kindness, I can afford the procedures and prescriptions that keep me alive.

Your donation to the nonprofit Help Hope Live in my honor will be used solely for medical and related expenses.

No donation is too small, and every dollar helps. Thank you!