Nelson Freytes: From Thyroid Patient to Founder and CEO of Transplant News

Imagine taking a common medication that ultimately leads to the need for an organ transplant. That's what happened to Nelson Freytes, the founder and CEO of Transplant News.

At 24 years old, Nelson began taking a new medication for his thyroid condition but was allergic to it and rushed to the hospital. Five days later, he awoke in a different hospital with a new liver. He had gone into a coma, which prompted the emergency liver transplant at the new hospital.

One of the most challenging aspects for Nelson was the sudden change in identity. He went from being a relatively healthy man with a general thyroid issue to being a liver transplant recipient. Despite this, his health returned to normal after the transplant, but he now had a new liver.

With his newfound experience, Nelson sought to bring the organ donation community together. His initial idea was to write a book, but he noticed the growing popularity of online social networking sites like MySpace for specific communities and niches. Thus, he founded transplantcafe.com, which became incredibly popular, receiving positive feedback from the community, with many saying it gave them a sense of camaraderie and changed their lives.

Over time, social platforms like Facebook developed, prompting Nelson to create Transplant News, a news aggregator that collects stories about the transplant community, including personal accounts published by organ donors and recipients. Nelson notes that everyone's story is unique, even if they share similarities. He emphasizes that individuals can be connected for life through the types of transplants they received or their similar experiences.

Towards the end of the interview, Nelson stressed the importance of recognizing misinformation and its effects on the organ donation community. Even seemingly insignificant ideas on media sites and television shows can deter individuals from donating their organs and saving many lives. Thus, he underscores the need for education about organ donation to correct false statements.

Looking ahead, Nelson is excited about new artificial organ transplantation research. He looks forward to seeing the development of prototypes and how artificial organs will assist those who need organ transplants.