JUSTIN TREASE RECeiVES TREVOR'S HEART

Update: Justin received a heart transplant on March 29, 2018! 

Hi, My Name is Justin (Age 35) in 2009 I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy due to a viral disease. Before this I had lead a active and productive life. But over time my heart has increased in size and has become weak and unable to pump sufficiently. Over the last decade my condition has worsened to the degree where I had no option but to have an LVAD (Left Ventricle Assist Device) implanted into my body to help my heart pump sufficiently. But all of this was a temporary step so that I can prepare for a Heart Transplant. With a new heart I can live a longer and joyful life. I have kept a positive outlook through this ordeal thanks to my Wife Sue, my Family, and All my Friends. With their support I truly believe I have a fighting chance.

Unfortunately the Health Care costs for a Heart Transplant and the Post Care are extremely high. That is why I have set up this page.

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, I still face significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of my life, I will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to my survival as the transplant itself. Due to my health issues, I had to stop working, further adding to my financial strain.

With your help I hope to continue to live a long and productive life, even if all you can donate is your time to spread the word, I would very much appreciate it.  Thank You! 

A LETTER FROM SHEILA

July 23, 2018

Dear Brad, Judy, Bradley, Matthew, and Taylor,

My name is Sheila Pell and I live in in Southern California with my husband, Doug; my two sons, Evan and Kent; and Toby, our cat. I am the eternally grateful recipient of one of Trevor’s kidneys and his liver on March 30, 2018.

I can’t thank you enough for your very precious and heart-felt letter affording us the opportunity to get to know a little bit about Trevor and you, his family.  I can’t even imagine what you have been through and continue to go through with the loss of Trevor and it is comforting to know that you have so many loving and caring people around you. Your foundation is an incredible tribute to honor Trevor that also helps other people in need so that they can live on through Trevor.

I have been composing this letter in my head even before I got my transplant. It is just so overwhelming for me to think that a life had to be lost for mine to be saved. I have thought and thought about how to say thank you and I have concluded that there are just no words in the English language or any other language that would express my sympathy and compassion for your loss and my joy and gratitude at being alive.  I have decided that the most important way to show my gratitude and to honor Trevor is to take the best possible care of myself and to serve others. I have an image of Trevor in my head that motivates and inspires me to do my very best to honor him every day.

I am so blessed in so many ways. This whole process has been difficult for me to say the least and, in many ways, even more difficult for my family. I am so grateful that I recovered quickly and that my life is now pretty much back on track. I am doing exceptionally well and feeling better than I have in a long, long time. 

Thank you for getting in touch with me and I will be forever grateful for my gifts from Trevor and your family. 

Thank you for my life and just know that I will always treasure it and make Trevor and you proud. I feel beyond blessed.

Blessings to Trevor and each of you,

Sheila Pell