Georgia Transplant Foundation The mission of the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF) is to bridge the gap between hope and opportunity by educating and enriching the lives of those affected by organ transplant. GTF was founded in 1992 by transplant recipient Tommy Smith, who saw firsthand the tremendous financial impact that transplantation can have on individuals and their families. Smith gathered a team of health care professionals with the goal of providing emergency financial assistance, so that no one would ever go without the medications needed to maintain a lifesaving organ transplant. Located in Roswell, GTF collaborates with Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Healthcare, Piedmont HealthCare, and Augusta University Health to provide vital services for Georgias population. Seven GTF staff members assist more than 2,000 patients annually through $1.9 million in financial assistance grants and services. In Georgia, there are currently more than 18,185 pediatric and adult transplant recipients, 3,900 living donors, and 5,316 organ failure patients waiting to receive a lifesaving organ transplant. GTF provides funding for essential post-transplant medications, health insurance premiums, housing costs, transportation to and from transplant centers, and emergency expenses. In addition to financial assistance, GTF also provides a complete range of services to Georgias transplant population, including statewide health care education conferences, transplant fundraising programs, career counseling and training, mentoring, tutoring, marriage counseling, and academic scholarships. GTFs Financial Assistance Program awards grants for transitional, short-term support to alleviate the financial burden of organ transplantation. The average cost of post-transplant medications is $26,300 each year. The annual cost of lab work, biopsies, hospital visits, and follow-up medical care is more than $60,000. Financial assistance grants are used to fund the exorbitant costs of daily essential medications, health care insurance premiums, travel to and from the transplant hospital, and household costs incurred during the time of transplant.Additionally, GTC offers patients and caregivers support programs to promote optimal health, academic successes, effective coping skills, emotional well-being, and a strong and supportive family unit. Physicians, surgeons, nutritionists, and other health care experts provide transplant patients with information on community resources and other treatment opportunities at the Trends in Transplant health care conferences, which are held in six cities across Georgia.GTC awards nine academic scholarships to deserving transplant patients to help with the costs of tuition and books. The Mentor Program pairs trained mentors with newly diagnosed patients to promote peer support. The JumpStart Program provides job readiness skills, so that patients may re-enter the workforce after a lengthy hospitalization and recovery.Today, Georgia Transplant Foundation is the primary source for transplant patient assistance and support for all solid organ transplantation in Georgia. GTF is a 501(c)(3) organization funded through the generosity of foundations like the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, corporations, and individuals. All funds raised support Georgia residents who are transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, or their families. More than 85 cents on every dollar directly supports client services. Georgia Transplant Foundation2201 Macy Drive Roswell, GA 30076678-514-1180 GaTransplant.org
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