Kingston's Kidney Cousins
Donation protected
ABOUT KINGSTON'S KIDNEY COUSINS
Misti and Shandi are cousins. Misti is about to give Shandi a generous and life-changing gift: a kidney.
“Misti is a real live super hero! I am so lucky she is my cousin,” says Shandi Potter, 25.
Shandi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 6 years-old. She led a normal life until about three years ago when she started getting nausea all day, every day. She was frequently in and out of hospital. Her kidneys were in trouble.
Shandi is now on dialysis and has lost her sight. She suffers from bouts of nausea, eye-related pain and occasional seizures. With the help of her boyfriend and her family, she struggles to control her blood sugar levels and remain stable.
She needs a new kidney and pancreas so she can lead a normal life again.
Shandi’s cousin Misti Pitcher, 24, wants to give Shandi her kidney. You can get a pancreas from a deceased donor and they are easier to come by. Getting a donor for a kidney can take years – unless you have a donor like Misti, who is a match – and who is willing to give up months of her life and livelihood as she recovers.
Shandi and Misti’s families are seeking the support of their friends to enable them to help the young women as they recover. Happily, they are holding Misti’s serving job for her and she is eligible to receive medical EI during her recovery.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE KIDNEY COUSINS AS THEY RECOVER
The kidney transplant will take place at Toronto General Hospital at the end of May. Both young women need to live close to the hospital for a number of weeks. Their families will travel between Kingston and Toronto to support the girls.
Funds raised will go to pay for: food for the young women at their lodgings in Toronto; food and lodging for family at time of surgery; travel expenses from Kingston to Toronto; taxis to the hospital and/or parking near the hospital when bringing them to/from appointments.
The transplant of the pancreas will take place after Shandi has recovered from the kidney transplant.
Misti and Shandi are cousins. Misti is about to give Shandi a generous and life-changing gift: a kidney.
“Misti is a real live super hero! I am so lucky she is my cousin,” says Shandi Potter, 25.
Shandi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 6 years-old. She led a normal life until about three years ago when she started getting nausea all day, every day. She was frequently in and out of hospital. Her kidneys were in trouble.
Shandi is now on dialysis and has lost her sight. She suffers from bouts of nausea, eye-related pain and occasional seizures. With the help of her boyfriend and her family, she struggles to control her blood sugar levels and remain stable.
She needs a new kidney and pancreas so she can lead a normal life again.
Shandi’s cousin Misti Pitcher, 24, wants to give Shandi her kidney. You can get a pancreas from a deceased donor and they are easier to come by. Getting a donor for a kidney can take years – unless you have a donor like Misti, who is a match – and who is willing to give up months of her life and livelihood as she recovers.
Shandi and Misti’s families are seeking the support of their friends to enable them to help the young women as they recover. Happily, they are holding Misti’s serving job for her and she is eligible to receive medical EI during her recovery.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE KIDNEY COUSINS AS THEY RECOVER
The kidney transplant will take place at Toronto General Hospital at the end of May. Both young women need to live close to the hospital for a number of weeks. Their families will travel between Kingston and Toronto to support the girls.
Funds raised will go to pay for: food for the young women at their lodgings in Toronto; food and lodging for family at time of surgery; travel expenses from Kingston to Toronto; taxis to the hospital and/or parking near the hospital when bringing them to/from appointments.
The transplant of the pancreas will take place after Shandi has recovered from the kidney transplant.
Organizer
Amanda Potter
Organizer
Kingston, ON
