Established in 1999, the TransplantBuddies site provides information about the transplant process, resources covering drugs and side effects, and discussions about living life as a transplant patient. The site also includes member photos and stories covering experiences of both transplant recipients and donors.

Our goal is to be friendly, supportive, and most of all, informative about all aspects of transplantation. If we don't have an immediate answer to a question, we will search the Internet for information for you.

Our members include patients who are exploring or waiting for a life saving organ transplant, transplant patients who are seeking support on a daily basis, and families who are supporting loved ones. Many of our TransplantBuddies want to help the transplant community by giving back to others. Patients and families participate in conversations in the forum; anyone with an interest in transplantation is welcome.

TransplantBuddies has over 1400 members from the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Austria, Greece, Japan, Pakistan, India, Sweden and Romania.

We hope that you will read what we have online, and that you will join us to contribute your personal knowledge and experiences to our ever-growing group.

If you'd like to let others know about TransplantBuddies.org, you can download a print copies of our flyer:

At the age of 36, having had Cystic Fibrosis since childhood, I needed a double lung transplant to survive. My double-lung transplant took place on January 21, 1996.

Through suffering from anxiety prior to my first transplant, I wanted to help others who might be going through a similar situation. At this time I grew close to Julie and other friends from an online anxiety forum. They inspired me to help transplant patients and the cystic fibrosis community.

I also have to thank my husband Cary for convincing me to buy my first computer in 1997. He taught me Windows and basic HTML, including how to make my first anchor link. Most of the rest I learned on my own.

I created my first message forum, called the Transplant Sharing Exchange in 1999. I had a feeling that my concept would succeed over time and promised myself that as long as there was a sincere interest from the community, I would continue to help others. I contacted Jeanne Barnett from http://cysticfibrosis.com and in exchange for artwork for her website and helping others with her forum, she offered to buy a domain for me. While I loved discussing transplantation through public speaking engagements as well, I saw an additional need for a broader interactive resource for transplant recipients. I chose the name http://transplantbuddies.com and later purchased transplantbuddies.org. That was in October 1999; the site first went live in Jan 2000.

At first the all-volunteer group was small: several dedicated members mentored others, answered questions, and shared experiences and insights. It became an online family. My surgeon, Dr. Pham at Jackson Memorial Hospital, was also very encouraging – he provided many medical links and most importantly, an initial Webmaster, who was also inspiring and helpful in many ways. About six months later in early 2000, John Biggers, a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient, joined TransplantBuddies as a member and became our Webmaster and designer.

Over time, the membership increased and the scope of the site expanded. In 2008, XDx, makers of Allomap blood testing, offered to sponsor us and create a new look for us. Please read more about XDx below. Adduci Studios created the look and Mental Models, a user experience design firm, implemented the new site and became our Webmaster in early 2008.

I’m very proud of what our site has become and would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the site. TransplantBuddies would not be what it is today without your experiences and knowledge. Thank you all!

--Risa

A dedicated group of volunteers help with the following ongoing site activities and tasks -- the site would not be the same without them!

• Answering posts, welcoming members and offering support if someone is reaching out for help
• Encouraging new members to share their stories and photos
• Responding to questions and searching the internet for information on posted questions to help give our members the best information possible
• Sharing personal journeys and experiences that may be similar to situations others are encountering
• Spreading the word about TransplantBuddies and distributing our TransplantBuddies Flyer at transplant centers

Founded in 2000, XDx is a molecular diagnostics company based in Brisbane, CA. Setting the stage for a new era in personalized medicine, XDx is one of the first companies to develop and commercialize practical applications built on insights from the Human Genome Project. The company has developed a proprietary new method for noninvasively monitoring the immune system by measuring gene expression in a patient’s peripheral blood. The technology offers the potential to decrease healthcare costs and significantly improve the quality of life for patients with a variety of life-threatening or life-altering immune-mediated diseases.

In 2005, XDx introduced AlloMap® molecular expression testing that is targeted at improving heart transplant patient care. AlloMap testing helps physicians rule out acute cellular rejection in clinically stable heart transplant recipients using a sample obtained from peripheral blood. AlloMap testing is used in many transplant clinics across the US as part of their protocol in post heart transplant patient care.

XDx is pleased to support transplantbuddies.org, a community-run transplant patient forum.

Please contact Risa at Risa@transplantbuddies.org if you have suggestions or issues with the site.

I found this site in January 2008 and have loved it since I signed on. It has helped me a lot to see that others have been through what I have been through. I also have had the chance to meet another member in person and meeting her was great. It's an awesome feeling to be able to help others who are waiting and to be able to tell them what the experience of transplants was like so that they can get an idea of what they might go through. Sometimes the doctors just don't do it justice or tell you exactly everything that you want to know. I wish that I had found this site before I had my transplants so that I could have talked to more people about it. I am so glad that I joined TransplantBuddies!!
Patti
Double lung and liver transplant 1/31/07, first one at the Cleveland Clinic

As a newbie, I am very impressed by the friendly attitude and openness of the members. The information and support is wonderful!
Kidney Donor to Husband, 10/07
Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

When I found TransplantBuddies, I found a home. I was scared and felt very alone when I went searching on the Internet about lung transplant. I had been sick for two years and had lost hope that I would ever get better. I knew that lung transplant was out there, but I didn't really know if it was an option for me. After finding TransplantBuddies and reading all I could read about lung transplant, I started to have hope again that one day I might be free of this unrelenting lung disease. I read a lot at first, but did not post. Once I started posting, it was as if I was instantly a part of the family. I was given so much support and real answers to my questions. I had found a group of friends that just wanted to help. Because of the help I received from the people on this website I took the necessary steps to be evaluated for lung transplant. I am now on the lung transplant list at the Cleveland Clinic eagerly awaiting my chance to have a new life. A chance to once again dance with my son!! Thank you to all of the TransplantBuddies!!
Karen
Dx: Bronchiolitis Obliterans, waiting for double lung transplant at Cleveland Clinic

This TransplantBuddies web site is a must for all transplants and caregivers who think they are alone in the world of transplant. Thank you Risa for all the advice and comfort you and others like yourself provide here.
Perry
Heart transplant 8/18/98

When I faced kidney failure in June '07, I entered a new and scary world, full of questions and doubts. Shortly thereafter I found this site, and what a difference it made for me. I had a great PD nurse who answered many questions, but she wasn't there at all hours of the day and this site was. I have made some good online friends here and have had a lot of support that I probably wouldn't have found elsewhere. It is always nice to hear news and info straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak. I still have a lot to learn, but what I have learned, a great deal of it came from TransplantBuddies.
Jeff W., Forum Leader-Kidney
Kidney transplant 10/26/07

TransplantBuddies is a port in the storm of uncertainty for anyone going down every road in the journey of Acute or Chronic illness. It is an open and caring forum that can help someone feel comfort, support and to gain knowledge from those traveling the same road. I learn something new here daily and in the process have been able to learn even more about myself. This place gives you a safety net and a soft place to land.
Linda M RN, waiting for transplant

TransplantBuddies is a wonderful place to come. It is a place that you can share all your highs, accomplishments, goals, and know that people can relate to you. You can also come here if you have questions, fears, a shoulder to cry on, or a cheerleader. I have been able to feel all of these things and there are days when I can't wait to get home and touch base with my transplant family. There is such an abundance of information both though different areas in the site and then there are people who have been there and done that. The "community" can offer that support that none of your family members can, no matter how much they want to.
Debbie
Kidney Transplant 12/5/05, Nebraska Medical Center

I have been waiting for a heart transplant now for 18 months. I felt so alone and depressed until I found this site. I instantly had a group of friends (and believe me they really do all become friends) that understood and could relate to what I was going through. This site has been a godsend for me. You will find laughter, tears, frustration, contentment, happiness, help, a shoulder to cry on. Whatever you need at the time, there is someone here that will understand and everyone will try to help you through whatever it is you are struggling with. They say there is strength in numbers... well climb aboard for all the strength and support you need. This site is totally AWESOME!!!
Holly Mulkerin, waiting for heart transplant at Cleveland Clinic

I am a Kidney Transplant recipient and always have been looking for a support group in some way. When I found TransplantBuddies while searching the Internet, once again I was reminded of the deep value of friendship in my life. This time it was slightly more meaningful in the sense we all share a common but special bond, in the world of TRANSPLANT. I am so blessed and grateful beyond words to all of my transplant buddies who continue to encourage me, and help me along this path in every way- emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I couldn't possibly list all of you here- but you know who you are, and from the bottom of my heart, I Thank You for sharing your hearts to me!
LouLou
Kidney transplant 7/1/07