Tampa General Hospital lung transplant patient's family needs $10,000 to save his life

Tony_FLADEM

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Thu May-05-11 10:46 AM
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Tampa General Hospital lung transplant patient's family needs $10,000 to save his life

Source: St. Petersburg Times

TAMPA � The disfigured lungs that brought Enock Mezilas to Tampa General Hospital will never be strong enough to carry him out. Not to pick up the high school diploma he earned last month, nor to realize his dream of becoming a pharmacist.

The 20-year-old will die during this hospital visit, his doctor says, unless he receives a lung transplant.

But his family doesn't have the $10,000 needed to save his life.

"We need help," said his mother, Ilna Pierre, sobbing as her son shared his story.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/article1167685.ece

It's sad that a sum of money plays a role in whether this kid gets to continue living or not.

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LiberalAndProud

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Thu May-05-11 10:54 AM
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1. I'm just glad we don't have any death panels. Thank you Sarah.

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CaliforniaPeggy

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Thu May-05-11 10:54 AM
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2. So heartbreaking...

And mainly for the lack of a green card.

I hope the story will bring him the help he so desperately needs...

And I agree...money should not be a factor. But it so often is.

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dkf

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Thu May-05-11 11:05 AM
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3. It's not just the money...it's the wherewithal for a lifetime of taking care of a transplant.

Edited on Thu May-05-11 11:06 AM by dkf

In order to do that he needs a perpetually steady circumstance.

I read something earlier where they weren't giving transplants to foster kids because they didn't have a strong support system. These guidelines for transplants are brutal.

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valerief

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Thu May-05-11 11:23 AM
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4. How much money does that CEO of United Health earn a minute?

Too bad he couldn't donate a minute of his wealth to this kid.

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jsamuel

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Thu May-05-11 11:28 AM
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5. the real death panel

the billing department

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catgirl

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Thu May-05-11 11:34 AM
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6. Here's information on how to help Enock Mezilas

How to help Enock Mezilas:

Through the National Transplant Assistance Fund, family and friends are trying to raise money for Mezilas' lung transplant. Contributions can be made online at NTAFund.org or by calling 1-800-642-8399. Or mail checks made out to NTAF Southeast Lung Transplant Fund (note in the memo section: in honor of Enock Mezilas) to NTAF; 150 N Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120; Radnor, PA 19087.

I'm donating right now.

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GOTV

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Thu May-05-11 11:58 AM
Response to Reply #6

8. +1 - me too

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im1013

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Thu May-05-11 11:56 AM
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7. What kind of country...

allows this kind of shit to happen??????

:puke:

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clixtox

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Thu May-05-11 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #7

9. We certainly do not seem all that "exceptional" to me!

It is a sad commentary on our society when every avoidable early death isn't properly treated solely for financial reasons.

This is the greatest country on the planet?

Sadly, far from it.

I am hopeful that the generosity of enough of us who still have resources available will allow at least this young person a chance...

Everyday is a needlessly tragic day for how many struggling families dealing with medical catastrophes because of our culture's inhumanity.

One family is too many!

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trud

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Thu May-05-11 01:25 PM
Response to Original message

10. acid reflux -> lung damage

Not so rare, according to my doctor, so just raising a flag that if you or someone you know has uncontrolled acid reflux, see a doctor.

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BadGimp

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Thu May-05-11 06:44 PM
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11. looks like they raised $15,000

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/community-gives-more-than-15000-to-save-a-man-at-tampa-general-who-needs-a/1168003

The Internet Can Save Us All!

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