The birth of GTF
He approached his transplant social worker, Pat Dunkerley, with the crazy idea to start an organization that could provide immediate support to patients and their families in crisis situations and throughout the transplant process. Quería asegurarse de que ningún paciente de Georgia tuviera que elegir entre comer o tomar los medicamentos necesarios para mantener el trasplante que le salvó la vida. Pat y Tommy sabían que la tarea sería hercúlea, pero se arremangaron, reunieron a sus amigos y familiares, y nació la Georgia Transplant Foundation.
Tommy era el visionario y Pat trabajó a su lado para hacer realidad su sueño. Hoy, GTF ha evolucionado más allá de sus raíces para convertirse en la organización más grande de su tipo en el país. Georgia Transplant Foundation impacta a más de 2,000 personas cada año, proporcionando más de $2.4 millones en asistencia financiera anualmente.
Nuestra historia
La Georgia Transplant Foundation fue fundada en agosto de 1992 por el receptor de trasplante de riñón Thomas “Tommy” F. Smith, un veterano de la guerra de Vietnam sirviendo a su país en el Cuerpo de Marines de los Estados Unidos. Al reconocer de primera mano el tremendo impacto financiero que enfrentan los pacientes y las familias antes, durante y después del trasplante, Tommy decidió que tenía que hacer algo para ayudar a los georgianos necesitados.
Imprints in GTF's History
1992
Georgia Transplant Foundation is founded by Tommy Smith; Baseball Hall of Fame legend, Tom Glavine, receives a letter in his mailbox informing him about the amount of money needed for transplant recipients during recovery and Glavine gives GTF his support and lends his name to the Foundation (for the next 25+ years).
1993
The first Board of Director’s is formed – Tommy Smith brought together a founding board of dedicated individuals who, despite having full-time careers, were willing to work nights and weekends to make sure transplant recipients received the support and financial assistance they needed. The inaugural Tom Glavine’s Spring Training signature event raised $17,000 for GTF.
1995
The first Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust is awarded to GTF for a total of $400,000 over a 3-year period for: Financial Assistance Programs, GTF Informational Brochure, and a 1-800 telephone number. Pre-Transplant Assistance, Pre-Transplant Insurance, and Housing Assistance are added to the list of programs offered by GTF.
1996
The first Brayson Homes Transplant House raised $65,058.60 for GTF. The first GTF logo is born.
2004
La primera conferencia de Trends iN Transplant (TNT) se lleva a cabo en Columbus, GA.
2009
More than 1,500 cyclists pedaled their way down the GA-400 highway as it was temporarily shut down to benefit GTF. The inaugural event raises more than $55,000 for the Foundation.
2011
GTF awards $1.2 million is direct financial assistance; the first issue of GTF’s Imprint Magazine is published and distributed to more than 20,000 state-wide.
2013
The Dialysis Center Liaison (DCL) Program is launched to encourage dialysis patients to consider transplant as a treatment option by being made aware of the programs and services offered by GTF.
2016
Thanks to the generosity of the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, GTF moved to its forever home with the purchase of a building.
2017
The inaugural Celebrate Life Gala was created and become GTF’s new signature event
2018
More than 10,000 individuals helped through GTF’s direct financial assistance programs.