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WORCESTER – Thousands of families across the country are left in turmoil without funds after the National Transplant Foundation unexpectedly closed.
One local family is completely blindsided and frustrated. Donna Sinclair, 73, was a double lung transplant patient from MGH and a member of the National Transplant Foundation.
Sinclair was diagnosed with COPD at the age of 68, underwent a double lung transplant, and was happy to be alive. She exceeded her expected life expectancy.
“The day we got that call, I think everyone was so excited that she was getting a second chance at life,” said Sinclair's daughter Christina Norris. She said, “She didn't have much time left to live and when her name was called on the transplant list, she didn't even know if her name would make it in time.”
However, life after the surgery was not easy for the retired grandmother, who faced mounting medical costs and the need for medication.
Family, friends raise $35,000
So family, friends, and businesses came together to donate $35,000 for Donna through the National Transplant Foundation, an alternative to other crowdfunding websites. The family said MGH also recommended the Memphis-based organization.
However, on April 8, the family received a letter from NFT stating that it was closing and that the money in each patient's account would not be given to them.
CBS Boston
This money helped pay for transportation to doctor appointments, copays for consultations, and even copays for medications.
She said that when they registered with the foundation they were told that the money they raised was theirs, and that they had documentation to that effect, but now they are being told no. Ta. She said she initially raised about $35,000, but had about $11,000 left when the foundation announced it was closing.
Sinclair will lose the remaining $11,000 from the fundraiser. “She said it felt like she had been slapped in the face. She was out of money!” Norris said.
NFT says all donations are for “discretionary use”
WBZ reached out to the National Transplant Foundation. The organization issued the following statement:
“Closing was a difficult but necessary decision. Post-pandemic economic burdens, compounded by reduced funding, as well as healthcare cost inflation and rising operating costs, necessitated this decision. ”
All donations received by the National Transplant Foundation were donated for any use as a nonprofit organization in support of its mission. In this way, we were able to help as many transplant patients and their families as possible. Tax law and IRS regulations prohibit designating NFT donations or gifts to or for the benefit of specific individuals. Gifts made to date are being used to support services for transplant patients. There will be no funds left at the time of closure.
To date, we have raised $98 million, including $84 million through peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, and impacted more than 6,400 individuals. This remarkable accomplishment speaks volumes about the generosity and compassion of our community. For the past 20 years, we have provided an average of $2 million in grants annually to ease the financial burden of transplant-related costs.
NFT would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has joined us on this journey. The legacy of that mission will remain in the lives of those it touched and in the hearts of those it uplifted. ”
“Where did the money go?”
According to the NFT, the funds raised for Sinclair were for the foundation as a whole. While her mother has been fighting for her life, her daughter is now fighting for her answers.
“My biggest question is, where did that money go? If not, why did everyone come to believe this was money to save lives?” Norris said. “This is horrible and unacceptable. I mean, we don't know where we go from here.”
WBZ reached out to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office to see if there are any other complaints in the state. WBZ reported that the office is investigating.
