Steve Meredith Sr.

Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing today on behalf of my uncle, Steve Meredith Sr. and his family. Those of you who know him, know that on July 14, 2012 Steve suffered not one, but two heart attacks. He made it to the hospital just ten minutes before the first heart attack. His heart was restarted two times in the ER. Because of this trauma he is left with only one functioning side of his heart. Steve was transferred to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital on July 17, 2012 and two days later he underwent open heart surgery to install a Ventricular Assistive Device (VAD). The VAD is what now keeps Steve’s heart beating. Steve was released from Fort Wayne on August 7, 2012, but his biggest fight is yet to come. The VAD is not a permanent solution to Steve’s heart problem. He will need a new heart to stay alive long term.

The purpose behind this letter is to ask for your help. The heart transplant operation and resulting hospital stay costs nearly one million dollars total. Although several of the expenses will be covered by insurance, a large amount of the financial burden will be added to the already growing amount of Steve’s medical bills from the past year.

Due to these astronomical expenses associated with heart transplantation, a fundraising campaign in Steve’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Great Lakes Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. We know that times are hard for everyone, but we ask you to consider giving what you can. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Steve Meredith Sr., please:We truly appreciate your donations and your time. Anyone who knows Steve knows he is a wonderful, kind-hearted person. He is first in line to help a friend, and nothing is more important to him then his family. I know that his biggest wish is to be with his grandchildren, Anastasia (2) and Steven Lee (1), and to watch them grow. So, on behalf of Steve and his family, I ask for your prayers that he will quickly receive the heart that is going to ensure that he will get his wish.

Kind Regards,
Sarah Lichtenbarger (niece)