What Is a Multivisceral Organ Transplant?

An intestinal or multivisceral organ transplant involves transplanting multiple organs at the same time: typically the liver, small intestine, and abdominal organs like the stomach and pancreas. These transplants are a treatment pathway for individuals with certain severe gastrointestinal diagnoses. 

These transplants replace a patient’s entire gastrointestinal system with new, healthier organs, which is typically the only way to reboot the gastrointestinal tract for better health. This treatment may be an option for people who can’t receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or liquid nutrition intravenously.

Which Medical Conditions Can Result in a Multivisceral Organ Transplant?

Most commonly, a multivisceral organ transplant occurs when a patient is living with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure. There are many conditions that can lead to the need for a multivisceral organ transplant, but some of the most common are:

• Aganglionosis/Hirschsprung’s Disease
• Blocked or obstructed intestines (atresia)
• Desmoid tumor with intra-abdominal infiltration
• End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis)
• Gastroschisis
• Gardner’s syndrome
• Malabsorption
• Massive resection of the intestine 
• Mesenteric thrombosis 
• Microvillus inclusion
• Necrotizing enterocolitis
• Pseudo-obstruction
• Short bowel syndrome
• Trauma: some trauma victims who survive acute illness develop lingering, debilitating syndromes that can disrupt certain abdominal organs, according to the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Intestinal failure due to catastrophic accidents (car, sports, etc.) and diseases are just two traumatic types of traumatic experiences that could lead to a multivisceral organ transplant.
• Volvulus

How Much Does a Multivisceral Organ Transplant Cost?

Multivisceral organ transplant cost will vary depending on the number of organs and types of organs that will be transplanted. The average major pre-insurance costs for organ transplants include:

• Pancreas transplant – $347,000
• Kidney transplant – $415,000
• Liver transplant – $813,000
• Intestine transplant – $1.1 million

Regarding intestine transplant cost, also referred to as ITx, these procedures are much more costly than other transplant procedures on average because of the severity of the transplant. ITx involves a newer transplant technique developed just a few years ago that has now become standard for treating intestinal-related issues requiring transplants. 

Other treatments for bowel/intestinal failure such as HPN, or home parenteral nutrition, are typically less effective but also less costly. However, while ITx has a high initial cost, research shows that the procedure is cost effective over HPN in adults by the fourth year post-transplant and cost saving by the fifth year post-transplant. 

While multivisceral organ transplants are life-saving procedures, they can be life-disrupting for patients and their families before, during, and after transplant. Initial recovery alone can take more than a year with likely limitations to a patient’s activities and employment capabilities, and all transplant recipients typically take medication for the rest of their lives.

Finding Financial Assistance for a Multivisceral Organ Transplant

The medical expenses associated with multivisceral procedures, rehabilitation funding for transplants, and long-term health care costs will vary. These costs can add up quickly–even with insurance.

Help Hope Live is your community-based fundraising source to assist with unmet medical expenses and related costs associated with a variety of transplants, including multivisceral procedures.

Which Costs Can Fundraising for Multivisceral Transplants Help With?

• Health insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays
• Pre-transplant medications
• Unexpected pre-transplant hospitalizations
• Medical travel and temporary lodging while you are being listed for transplant
• Medical travel and temporary lodging when you receive the transplant
• Relocation or moving expenses due to the transplant
• Mileage, tolls, and parking fees for transplant-related medical travel
• Caregiver costs, including lost work

Turn to Help Hope Live for Financial Assistance for Multivisceral Transplants

Through community-based fundraising, our nonprofit organization can help you raise funds for the medical expenses associated with surgery or ongoing support for multivisceral transplants.

How Does Fundraising for Multivisceral Transplants Work?

The fundraising process with our nonprofit starts with a few simple steps:

1. Complete a short campaign request at helphopelive.org/get-started/apply
2. We will contact you if community-based fundraising is a possible option
3. You’ll be paired with a Client Services Coordinator
4. Your Coordinator will provide you with one-on-one fundraising help, including personalized materials and guidance on rallying your community, sharing your story on social media, reaching out to the press, planning in-person or virtual fundraising events, and much more

How Is Help Hope Live Different from GoFundMe?

Help Hope Live differs from GoFundMe by:

• Verifying your medical need for complete donor confidence
• Enabling donations that are tax deductible
• Providing one-on-one fundraising help
• Managing all funds raised to protect your state-based benefits (funds raised are not considered personal income/assets to you)
• Paying bills directly allows you to focus on treatment and recovery

We are a nonprofit organization with more than 4 decades of fundraising experience and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.

Does Community-Based Fundraising Work?

Here are a few Help Hope Live transplant fundraiser success stories:

“Made fundraising an easy process to understand.”

Gregory Hal Wright turned to Help Hope Live to assist with the expenses associated with a life-changing transplant. With one-on-one fundraising help that included press outreach assistance and both online and in-person fundraisers, Greg raised over $18,000 and received a successful transplant in 2020. He is now a Help Hope Live Ambassador who helps other transplant candidates and recipients to connect with our nonprofit for trusted transplant fundraising.

“Could not have made it this far without your support.”

Tony Billings and his wife Maxine began fundraising when they learned that a liver transplant would result in multiple out-of-pocket expenses, including $600 per month in medications alone. Tony and Maxine relied on our fundraising assistance to share community updates and collect help and hope from their loved ones. Tony received a successful liver transplant in 2018.

“Kept us motivated during the toughest times…fierce advocates for their clients and the entire family. We highly recommend Help Hope Live: they care.”

94% of Help Hope Live clients recommend our organization. A 2020 survey found that most clients associate fundraising with our nonprofit with reduced stress, an improved ability to pay medical bills, and fewer feelings of being a burden on others.