What We Do

Transplant Patient Relief Fund

Helping those who received

Our Transplant Patient Relief Fund supports Kentucky transplant patients grappling with the financial strain of life-sustaining medical care post-transplant. By providing essential resources like gas cards, medical equipment, and lodging, this fund helps alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families, ensuring they can focus on their recovery.

Named for Judge Charlie Satterwhite, a transplant recipient and passionate Donate Life supporter, our fund is the only of its kind in Kentucky serving transplant patients in financial crisis.

By the numbers

3 – 72

From 3 months old to 72 years old, we help transplant patients of all ages

5

Requests per week to help patients in need in KY

45%

Increase in requests for grants since 2023

$800000

In grants given to Kentuckians since 2001

Eddie’s Story

“The drive was one no one could ever imagine- an absolute blizzard! There were road warnings and winter advisories, but nothing was going to keep them away. Eddie and one of his daughters (Maddie) sang the whole way to the hospital, trying to remain calm, but their cheeks were sore as they parked in the parking garage. 

Arrival was bittersweet; the room was warm, and it all was such a dream. They prayed for the donor family, thought about the lives that were being impacted. The surgery wasn’t until the next morning. Eddie couldn’t sleep a wink. At 68 years old he said he felt like a kid at Christmas and Santa was coming.

The months and doctor visits passed. Eddie was blessed with gas cards from Donate Life Kentucky Trust that made life so much easier. Each trip from his home in Bath County, KY, to Cincinnati, OH, was 260 miles round trip. The trips to the transplant center for checkups were time spent together on the road. The time together was spent sharing memories, singing songs and planning trips.”

– Eddie’s Daughter

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Invest in Kentucky Families Today

We accept charitable contributions to provide vital services for children on the waiting list, donor families, transplant patients, and educational initiatives.

Financial Contributions

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The need for donation is greater than the number of organs available — and every day more people are added to the national waiting list.

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FAQs

What is the Transplant Patient Relief Fund?

Donate Life Kentucky Trust, which was founded by the Kentucky Association of Circuit Clerks in 1992, established the Satterwhite Patient Assistance Fund in 2001. This fund is designed to provide limited financial aid to Kentucky organ transplant recipients and their families when other forms of assistance are unavailable or insufficient.

This aid can be used for expenses like medication, co-pays, travel expenses, and other medical necessities for transplant patients immediately after transplant and throughout follow-up. We prefer not to send payment directly to the patient. Instead, we pay the pharmacy, vendor or hotel directly.


Transplant center social workers submit a brief form to Donate Life Kentucky Trust, and our Satterwhite Fund Advisory Committee evaluates and approves the grant to those in need efficiently. If you need support, reach out to your transplant social worker or contact info@donatelifeky.org.

What are the criteria for qualifying for the Transplant Patient Relief Fund?
  1. Please review the following with your transplant social worker.
  3. 1) The applicant MUST be a Kentucky resident;
    2) Applications must be submitted by transplant hospital social workers – applications from anyone other than a social worker familiar with a patient’s case will not be accepted;
    3) Satterwhite Grants are limited to $1,000 per application/transplant patient;
    4) Since funds are limited, a transplant patient is limited to being funded a maximum of four (4) times, and no more than twice per calendar year. 
    5) If the patient receives a second transplant (on a different date than the first), they are eligible for assistance again with the same guidelines as the first transplant.
    6) Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Who helps make this fund possible?
  1. Individuals, businesses, partners such as Kosair for Kids and fundraising events like Donate Life Day at the Races make this program possible. Everyone is invited to give in various ways to support this life-sustaining program. Click here to learn more about how you can help patients in need.

How do I share my story?
  1. Your story inspires everyone to support this life-changing organization, please visit our Gift of Life stories page.
How can I help this vital program?
  1. 1. Share your Story
  2. 2. Give a financial gift to support Kentuckians in need
  3. 3. Join our Ambassador Program
  4. 4. Consider joining the Board or Advisory Committee
  5. Please reach out to Shannon Adkins in our Philanthropy Department to learn ways you can help contribute to this vital patient relief fund.
How can I connect with other transplant recipients?

Connecting with other transplant patients is easy! Reach out to Stephanie Grooms to sign up for our Ambassador Program, learn about partner-hosted support groups, and hear about upcoming events. 

I received recipient support. How do I say thank you?
  1. By contacting a member of our team, we can walk you through various ways to connect to the mission and improve access for others who have walked a similar journey to yours.  By allowing us to record and share your Gift of Life Story, you will inspire others to support this lifesaving mission. Grant recipients who share will also receive a special Donate Life t-shirt! Simply contact Stephanie Grooms or call our office 1-866-945-5433 to learn more.
Transplant Support groups and resources
  1. While grateful for their second chance at life, transplant patients have various concerns and needs, including focusing on treatment and follow-up, medication organization and side effects, adjusting to life post-transplant, psychological impact of illness and change, and caregiver concerns and support. Some patients are unable to return to work and home life right away, and the support of physical and mental healthcare is vital to ensure these patients thrive. 

    If you or someone you know needs additional support resources, we encourage you to reach out directly to your transplant center coordinator or social worker.  Your transplant center often provides support groups. 

    Kentucky’s Transplant Center information can be found here:
    University of Louisville Transplant
    University of Kentucky Transplant
    Norton Children’s Transplant
How do I write to my donor family?
  1. Along with your transplant center, Kentucky’s organ procurement organization handles correspondence between donor families and recipients. Learn more here or reach out to Network for Hope’s Aftercare Team for tips on how to write to your donor family.