Carlos Santamaria

Transplant Type: Kidney

Update: Carlos received a transplant on November 18, 2019!

Carlos Santamaria Zamora is awaiting a new lease on life. During a routine physical in 2015, Carlos learned that his kidneys were functioning at around 50%. No one seemed to know what was wrong, but each time Carlos returned for more tests, his kidneys had lost more function. By 2018, Carlos began suffering from terrible headaches, decreased appetite, and extreme exhaustion. At this point, Carlos was placed on dialysis and informed he has end stage renal failure; however, the cause of kidney failure remains unknown. Doctors now say a kidney transplant is critical.

During this difficult time, Carlos is thankful for the love and support of his fiancée, Palmer, and his family and friends, including two teenage daughters. His illness has taken an emotional and financial toll on his family, and he wants nothing more than to receive a transplant to relieve their burden. While his illness has previously affected his ability to work, Carlos is lucky to still be able to go to work doing makes him the happiest in life—being around horses. As an assistant trainer, every day he looks forward to a job he is passionate about, and the horses keep him fighting for his life.

Carlos looks forward to the day he regains his freedom. He cannot wait to regain his lost energy and not worry about dialysis—be it the nightly treatments or keeping his port clean and safe. Carlos longs to watch his daughters grow up. He also looks forward to getting to marry his fiancée, so that they can start their lives unencumbered by his illness. But right now, he needs your help.

The average kidney transplant costs more than $414,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, Carlos still faces significant expenses related to the surgery; he could still be responsible for up to 20% of the transplant alone. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

Furthermore, Carlos lives in Los Angeles, which is over 2,200 miles from his transplant center in Cincinnati, and has to travel back and forth for appointments. When he receives his transplant, he will have to stay nearby while he recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging for him and his required caregiver. While Carlos is still working, it is becoming more of a challenge as his health declines. When he receives his transplant, he will have to be off work for an extended time, further adding to his financial burdens.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Carlos Santamaria. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT California Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 850, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Carlos Santamaria” on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: University of Cincinnati Center Medical