Finding Financial Support: Organ Transplant Assistance

An organ transplant can be a life-changing source of hope. However, the financial cost can be a significant barrier to care. From the procedure to the medical support involved with recovery, an organ transplant can represent a significant financial burden.

Did you know that in 2020, there were more than 33,000 life-saving transplants from deceased organ donors? It was the 10^th record year in a row for organ donation from deceased donors.

We know that when you are facing a transplant need, raising support and finances can be a daunting task, but there are many individuals who have had success securing organ transplant financial assistance.

Does Insurance Cover an Organ Transplant?

The answer to this question depends on your insurance plan. Many private insurance groups may cover a good portion of the transplant surgery. However, most insurance plans will not cover everything when it comes to organ transplant costs.

Paying hospital bills even after insurance coverage can leave an organ recipient with a significant amount of debt after a transplant. This is where a Help Hope Live fundraiser can be of great assistance.

How Much Does it Cost to Get an Organ Transplant?

Consulting firm Milliman tallies the average costs of different organ transplants in the U.S. before insurance. While most transplants are expensive, some represent a massive financial burden. A kidney transplant runs just over $400,000. The cost for the average heart transplant, on the other hand, can approach $1.7 million.

Here is a list of what organs can be transplanted:

• Kidney
• Pancreas
• Heart
• Lung
• Double Lung
• Liver
• Intestine or Multi-Visceral
• Dual Transplants or Multiple Organs

Develop Your Medical Fundraising Strategy

Knowing the organ transplant costs involved and determining the financial obligation you will be facing are the first steps to developing a concrete fundraising strategy. Fortunately, there is help for patients who need an organ transplant as they contend with both the transplant process and post-transplant recovery expenses.

Help Hope Live is a dedicated, community-based resource designed to assist with the out-of-pocket expenses associated with a transplant and recovery.

Organ Transplant Financial Assistance

Establishing greater support for organ transplant patients is the goal of Help Hope Live. Through community-based fundraising, our nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping those in need raise funds for medical treatment, including the costs associated with an organ transplant.

How Does Organ Transplant Charity Fundraising Work?

Fundraising with our nonprofit works as follows:

1. Submit a campaign request for assistance at helphopelive.org/get-started/apply
2. You’ll be paired with a Client Services Coordinator
3. Your Coordinator will provide you with one-on-one fundraising help, including personalized fundraising materials and guidance on how to rally your community, share your story on social media, reach out to the press, plan 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 tax-deductible donations
• 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)

We are a nonprofit with over 30 years of transplant fundraising experience and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.

Does Community Based Fundraising Work?

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

"They made the fundraising aspect of the transplant process a lot less intimidating."

Living with complicated heart-related concerns since she was born, Elizabeth Lynne Burrus Barnett turned to Help Hope Live for organ transplant fundraising once she was listed for a heart-liver transplant. Out-of-pocket cost estimates include months of medical relocation and hundreds per month for medications. With support from us, Elizabeth raised $14,000 in four months and got her transplant.

"Truly a great fundraising experience for help with my medical bills and so much more."

Joanna McCray is a proud Help Hope Live Brand Ambassador who received a kidney transplant in 2018. Unable to work following a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, Joanna needed assistance to cover out-of-pocket costs ranging from medical travel and caregiving to post-transplant medications.

"The staff at Help Hope Live kept us motivated during the toughest times of our son's recovery. They are fierce advocates for their clients and the entire family. We highly recommend Help Hope Live. They care."

A 2020 survey of Help Hope Live clients revealed that fundraising with our nonprofit reduces stress, improves their ability to pay bills, and lessens feelings of being a burden following a medical crisis like an organ transplant need. 94% of Help Hope Live clients recommend our organization to others.