Dixie Ousley
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$3,000
raised by 16 people
$25,000 goal
Dixie Ousley
Transplant Type: Double Lung
Update: Dixie received a transplant on January 11, 2019!
Dixie Ousley is fighting for her life.
Four years ago, she had double pneumonia. After recovering, Dixie noticed an ongoing shortness of breath. After searching for answers, she underwent a lung biopsy in 2017, which revealed nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Although medication helped initially, her lung function continued to decline. Dixie now requires the assistance of supplemental oxygen to help her breathe. Doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical to her survival.
During such a difficult time, Dixie is thankful for the love and support of her wife, Kim, and their family and friends. Dixie and Kim have two teenage sons, and Dixie’s health causes worry for the family. She looks forward to receiving the transplant and returning to activities with her family again. Dixie enjoys hiking, going for walks, riding bikes, and kickboxing, but her activities are very limited now. She wants nothing more than to be healthy again so she can be free from the oxygen tank, return to her normal activities, and enjoy life with her family and friends. But right now, she needs your help.
The average double-lung transplant costs more than $1 million, and that’s only the beginning.Even with health insurance, Dixie faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
The transplant center in Omaha is three hours away from Dixie’s home, and she will need to travel back and forth. When she receives her transplant, she will have to temporarily relocate to be nearby while she recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging. In spite of her health, Dixie has continued to work as a middle school PE teacher, but her low immune system and oxygen tank make it difficult.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Dixie. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Missouri Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Dixie Ousley” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Patient Health Institute: University of Nebraska