Thousands left without funds as National Foundation for Transplants closes

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The National Foundation for Transplants is shutting its doors after 41 years in service, leaving many in need of a transplant without money the foundation raised in their names.  

One of those people is Scotts Hill resident Mark Williams was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. 

Knowing their family would face substantial medical bills, Mark and his wife Alicia opened an account with the foundation. 

“A lot of transplant hospitals recommended them because of their history and what they do, instead of going through a GoFundMe,” Alicia said. 

With the foundation, the family raised tens of thousands of dollars to cover medical expenses.  Mark did eventually get his transplant, but the outcome was devastating, both emotionally and financially.  

“Unfortunately, his transplant failed, and he was in the hospital for five weeks,” Alicia said. “So, we incurred large medical debt. Thankfully, we had that money to offset from the money that we raised.”  

Mark is now back on the waiting list for another kidney transplant.  All seemed on track until this week, Alicia received an email stating the foundation would be closing, and that the family would lose access to the remaining $10,000 in their account.   

Alicia immediately tried calling their account coordinator for clarification.  

“Her number was disconnected. There was no communication whatsoever to tell us ‘Hey, this is what the plan is,” she said. 

According to the foundation’s website, they have helped raise money for more than 4,000 transplant recipients each year, but many of those recipients, like Mark, will likely never see the funds they raised.  

“For a Duke, a Chapel Hill, a Johns-Hopkins to recommend this foundation, that’s a lot of accreditation for them, and for them to turn around and tell us that that’s not our money? That’s unacceptable,” Alicia said. 

The National Foundation for Transplants sent WWAY the following email 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.”