Steve Martin

Steve Martin

Transplant Type:   Kidney

What if you were living on borrowed time? 

Steve Martin is awaiting a new lease on life. He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure, though doctors suspect that he has been ill for several years. Unfortunately, kidney disease runs in his family. Steve was forced to begin peritoneal dialysis at the end of July 2021.  Dialysis treatments leave him exhausted and take a toll on his quality of life. Now, doctors say a kidney transplant is necessary.  Thankfully, Steve has had many family members and friends volunteer to be tested as a possible living donor.

During such a challenging time, Steve is thankful to be surrounded by a strong support system. His amazing wife, Phyllis, two children, grandchildren, family, and friends have been by his side every step of the way providing much needed love and encouragement.  Their faith in Christ and those people who they served with in ministry have been a source of joy, encouragement, and comfort.  

While it has been very hard for Steve and Phyllis, these circumstances have also brought them closer together, strengthened their trust in each other, and given them perspective on what matters most in life. Before his health began to decline, Steve enjoyed playing golf and riding his bicycle, but these days, his activities are quite limited. Steve looks forward to the kidney transplant that will allow him to live his life fully again without the need to be connected to a dialysis machine for ten hours every night.   More than anything, he would like to have the chance to spend many more years with his loved ones, but right now, he needs your help.

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

The average kidney transplant costs approximately $442,000. And that is only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

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

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 Steve Martin” 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.