‘It’s a big shock’: More Oklahomans impacted by transplant foundation closure

NORMAN, Okla. ( KFOR ) –  More Oklahomans are speaking out regarding the impact the National Foundation for Transplants decision to close its doors has had on their lives.

News 4 spoke with Norman business owner Joanie Buchanan who said she’s been raising money through the foundation since finding out she needed a kidney transplant during the pandemic.

“I’ve been raising money,” said Buchanan. “All my clients are donating money.”

Buchanan told News 4 she managed to raise a little over $18,000 through a foundation campaign before getting the news last month through Integris that the foundation was shutting its doors for good.

“Me and my husband kind of went crazy,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan said while the news came as a blow she felt more embarrassed for the friends and clients who had helped her out, one of which she told News 4 donated around $5,000 to get her on the transplant list.

“It’s a big shock,” said Buchanan. “I really feel sorry for them too because they took money out of their own pocket to help me.”

Last month News 4 spoke to another Oklahoma family in Ponca City who said they’d also gone through the foundation, and had lost a little over $4,000.

“I’m mad,” said Eric O’Brien, who told News 4 he was also in need of a kidney transplant. “I’m sad, hurt because of all the people and friends, family that has donated.

“Since finding out I’ve been stressed, depressed, like I don’t want to eat,” said Pam O’Brien. “I don’t know what we’re going to do because we’re starting over.”

News 4 has tried to get in contact with a foundation spokesperson, but has only received the following statement:

Closure has been a difficult but necessary decision. Economic strain post-pandemic, compounded by healthcare inflation and rising operational costs, alongside declining fundraising, necessitates this decision.

All contributions received by National Foundation for Transplants were donated for its discretionary use as a non-profit entity in support of its mission. In this way, we have been able to help as many transplant patients and their families as we could ever hope to be able to. Tax laws and IRS Regulations prevent the earmarking of any donation or gift to NFT to or for the benefit of any specific individual. Gifts previously made have been utilized for serving transplant patients. There will be no funds remaining at closure.

Together, we have raised $98 million, including $84 million through peer-to-peer fundraising efforts and impacting more than 6,400 individuals. This noteworthy achievement speaks volumes about the generosity and compassion of our community. During the last two decades, we have provided an average of $2 million in grants annually to help alleviate the financial burden of transplant-related expenses.

NFT extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of its journey. The legacy of its mission will endure in the lives it has touched and the hearts it has uplifted.

Thank you for your inquiry. If there are additional questions, please see the FAQs about the organization’s closure on our website transplants.org .

National Foundation for Transplants

News 4 also reached out to Integris for a statement and received the following:

We recently became aware that the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is closing at the end of the month. The announcement comes as quite a shock to both our staff and our patients, many of whom have money donated to the foundation on their behalf in hopes of receiving funds for their own personal transplant needs. The abrupt closure has understandably upset patients across the country as NFT’s correspondence indicates the money donated on the transplant patient’s behalf is no longer available after April 30, 2024.   We work with several such organizations, like NFT, to help our patients raise money for the necessary costs associated with transplantation and post-procedure care. It is common in the industry for these organizations to receive donations as unrestricted funds, meaning the money raised is not earmarked for any specific individual. Instead, donations are collected and allocated nationwide in the form of grants.   We are not affiliated with NFT or any of the other fundraising organizations, but we do recognize the financial and emotional stress created by this closure. We will continue to advocate for our patients and will partner with our patients to try to help them locate additional funds. In the meantime, patients impacted by this closure can call NFT at 1-800-489-3863, or email them at info@transplants.org (mailto:info@transplants.org). Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the NFT website at transplants.org

Integris

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