Deborah Conger

Deborah Conger

Transplant Type:   Liver

What if you were living on borrowed time? 

Deborah Conger is fighting for her life. In 2001, she was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to fatty liver disease that had progressed into cirrhosis. Unfortunately, she is all too familiar with the impacts of her illness as her mother passed away from liver issues in 1990. While Deborah was able to manage her disease for a long time, her condition has begun to worsen in the past two years.  She has had two episodes of esophageal varices bleeding, and most recently, she was diagnosed with stage 1 liver cancer. Now, doctors say a liver transplant is critical to her survival.          

Deborah used to be active and independent, but her health battle has forced her to adjust to an entirely new lifestyle. While this has been a difficult time for Deborah, her husband, Wayne, their children, grandchildren, family, and friends, this situation has also brought them closer together, strengthened their trust in the Lord, and given them perspective on what matters most in life.  Deborah dreams of being healthy enough to go back to church and be active in the ministry again. More than anything, she hopes to spend more time with her loved ones and to see her grandchildren grow up, but right now, she needs your help.

Unfortunately, Deborah’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.

The average liver transplant costs approximately $878,000. And that is only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, she still 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 extremely expensive, and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself. 

Deborah lives more than 150 miles from the transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Deborah and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital for three to six months during recovery, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Deborah.  

If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125.  Please be sure to write "in honor of Deborah Conger” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Transplant Center:   Integris Baptist Medical Center

If you have any questions about The National Foundation for Transplants, feel free to contact the staff at 800-489-3863.