Timothy Sears

Timothy Sears

Transplant Type: Heart

Update: Timothy received a heart transplant on September 27, 2019!

Timothy Sears is fighting for his life. In early September, he went to the ER because he was having trouble breathing and his legs were swollen. He was hospitalized and diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) and a pulmonary embolism. Timothy’s diagnosis came as a shock, as he is only 44 and had been previously healthy. His heart is only functioning at 5%, and there is no hope for improvement. Doctors say a heart transplant is critical to his survival.

During this difficult time, Timothy is grateful for the love and support of his wife of 15 years, Jamie, and their family and friends. Timothy and Jamie have their very own “Brady Bunch.” When they met, Jamie had two boys of her own, Michael and Mason, and Timothy had a daughter, Zoie. Since then, they’ve had two children together, a daughter, Kylee, and five months ago a baby boy, Koy Ryder. Timothy has always been an active husband and father, so the sudden hospitalization and diagnosis is difficult for all of them.

Timothy looks forward to receiving a transplant that will save his life and allow him to continue to enjoy time with his family. He wants nothing more than to be healthy and have more years with them. His situation has been a reality check for him and his loved ones, and he looks forward to cherishing every moment he has with his wife and kids. He wants to have many milestone moments with his family, walking his daughters down the aisle, playing golf with his sons, and coaching his son’s wrestling tournaments. But right now he needs your help.

The average heart transplant costs more than $1 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, he still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

Timothy lives 58 miles from his transplant center, and once he receives his transplant he may have to stay nearby while he recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging. Timothy has been a Union Iron Worker for 24 years and has really enjoyed helping to build Kansas City. He is the only income for his family, as his wife stays home to care for their five children. Timothy will be off work for quite a while, further adding to his financial burdens.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Timothy. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it toNational Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Timothy Sears” on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City