A man from Hutto is appealing for public help to pay for the double lung and kidney transplant he needs to survive. Jason Brady was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was just 3 months old.
CF is a "life-threatening genetic disease that causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas," according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
After 31-years of living with the illness, it is starting to slow Brady down. The softball and basketball enthusiast had to give up sports over the last year because of difficulty breathing.
Transplant costs are estimated at $800,000. That's too much for him to afford even with health insurance.
Brady turned to the National Foundation for Transplants for help. It's an organization based in Memphis that helps people raise money for expensive transplant procedures. They sent us some information on the costs associated with the double lung and kidney transplant.
For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month, and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. Brady’s declining health prevents him from working, adding to his financial strain.
One fundraiser is already scheduled for Thursday, December 16. Culver’s of Austin at 2240 W. Braker Lane will donate 15 percent of sales towards Brady's procedure.
You can find more information on how to help Jason Brady on this page at the NFT website.
This UCLA video on double lung transplants says they are "among the most complex and highly choreographed of all transplant operations."
