From the National Foundation for Transplants:
Yard Sale in Honor of Local Transplant Patient
Ashville, N.C., May 26, 2017 — Ken Burns is fighting for his life. In 2012, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, which he contracted after an issue with medication. Ken has been on the transplant waiting list for a liver, but unfortunately his health has continued to decline and now doctors say a dual liver and kidney transplant is essential to his survival.
Before his health began to decline, he led an active life and enjoyed bowling and outdoors activities like rafting, but these days he’s unable to do anything too strenuous. Ken looks forward to the transplant that will allow him to once again be more involved in family activities. During this difficult time, he is extremely thankful for his wife, Donna, his daughter and his young grandson, Levi, who really keeps him going each day. Levi means the world to him, and he wants nothing more than to spend many more years watching him grow up. But right now, he needs your help
The average duel liver and kidney transplant costs over $1 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant cost, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.
For fundraising support and guidance, Burns and his family turned to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance with some of these financial burdens. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps patients raise funds to pay for transplant-related expenses through their community-based fundraising program.
“My heart goes out for Ken,” says Claire Prince, NFT fundraising consultant. “I know he loves spending time with his family and he wants to be more active with them. At NFT, we want to help him raise the funds he needs to afford his lifesaving treatment and care.”
On Saturday, June 3, from 8 a.m. -1 p.m., volunteers will host a benefit yard sale in honor of Ken Burns. The fundraiser will be located on 43 Ferncliff Drive, Asheville, NC 28805. For more information, please contact Burns at (828) 707-2787 or the1maddog777@yahoo.com.
To make a tax-deductible donation in honor of Ken Burns, please send a contribution to the NFT North Carolina Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write “in honor of Ken Burns” on the memo line. Secure donations also can be made online at www.transplants.org. Donors should click on “Find an NFT Patient” to locate Burns.
About NFT
NFT is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization based in Memphis, Tenn. that has been helping transplant patients overcome financial obstacles since 1983. NFT provides fundraising expertise to transplant patients by organizing fundraising campaigns in the patients’ own communities. NFT’s fundraising campaigns have generated more than $77 million to assist patients. NFT assists more than 2,500 transplant candidates and recipients nationwide. For more information about NFT, please call 800-489-3863 or visit www.transplants.org.
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