Funds Sought for Kidney Transplant

Monticello native Norman Phillip “Timmy” Cargile of Monticello needs a kidney transplant. He needs help from anyone in this community who is able to help.

He will not be considered for a transplant until he has the minimum funds needed. Until he gets a transplant, he will have to continue to have dialysis three days a week as he has been doing for nearly a year.

The costs associated with organ transplants are extremely high, and his insurance only pays for a small portion of surgeries, medications, clinic visits, and many other associated expenses.

Many insurance companies do not pay all the costs associated with transplant. For instance, Medicare only pays for 80 percent of immunosuppressant medication expenses, leaving the remaining 20 percent unpaid.

In turn, if the medications needed after the transplant cost approximately $1,800, that leaves Mr. Cargile paying about $360 a month out of pocket per month for the remainder of his life.

Mr. Cargile is already a potential transplant candidate at the Georgia Health Sciences Transplant Program. He is currently trying to save $13,750 before he can proceed with kidney transplant work-up. This money is used to help pay for the needed immunosuppressant medication and any other medical expenses for the first six months following the transplant.

Fund raisers will bring him a step closer to his goals and he needs a lot of support for a longer, healthier life.

In addition to those donations, the Georgia Transplant Foundation, a charitable organization, will match donations dollar per dollar up to $10,000.

Donations can be made to Norman Cargile Transplant Fund at the Bank of Monticello or sent directly to Mr. Cargile at 9005 Hwy. 11 S. Monticello, Ga. 31064.

Mr. Cargile and his wife, the former Caren Hilley, are lifelong residents of Monticello. He is the son of Nell and the late Bill Cargile of Monticello.

Contact Ada Brownson with Ga. Health Services for more information, 706-721-3621 or 1800-736-2273.