Hoping to Tinkle - Sarah's Kidney Fund!

Sarah is a 31 year old Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology at The Florida State University. She recently received a letter from Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, FL stating that after spending two years on daily dialysis, she is now approved on the kidney transplant list. This is Sarah's story:


"I was 14 years old when I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, also known to medical professional as SLE or to the common public as "Lupus." At the time of diagnosis, I didn't think it was a big deal. Yes I had a possibly deadly disease, but I decided way back then that I wouldn' t let it stop me or use it as a crutch to live life. So, needless to say, I think I coped pretty well with the bad news. I graduated high school, college, and worked three jobs (sometimes four) with no major problem until 2009. In 2009 the Lupus brought me Pancreatitis, which caused a host of things to go wrong. In 2010 the Lupus brought Renal (kidney) failure. In 2011 the renal failure caused shingles and a heart infection (endocarditis). I came to the realization that I'm thirty years old and have flat-lined three times. Currently I have three doctor's appointments per week and take thirteen types of medication daily. Every night I have to spend an hour hooking up to a dialysis machine, which I have named Stella, and every morning I unhook it to go about my day. I am ready to start a healthy chapter in my life, ready for a new kidney, and ready to pee again. At any time I could receive a phone call saying a kidney is available for me, and I will have to leave in a moment's notice for 2 months recovery in Gainesville. As a graduate student, the expenses for the procedure and recovery are overwhelming. Any little bit helps."

Dani & ElyseSarah's Fundraising Campaign Managers


Here is the updated budget POST-Kidney transplant:
Surgery Co-Pay $1000 PAID

Recovering/Living in Gainesville - $2000 PAID
Because I am awesome, it took only a month for me to recover (with the help of all my heroes of course)


Traveling/Doctor's Visits $1000 - PAID
This expense varies weekly. I have to see the transplant team because the medications and the kidney must be monitored closely. It takes a full tank of gas to travel from Gainesville and back to Tallahassee. Sometimes I go once a week, sometimes twice a week, and sometimes once every two weeks. It all depends on what tests they want to run, but if it keeps me healthy and away from dialysis it is worth it.


UPDATED 4/8
Prescription Medications for 1 year - $5000 Partially Paid
This is the biggest expense because I am on 15 different medications. The monthly cost comes out to be roughly $500.00. I will be on these medications for at least a year. Hopefully, after the first year, I can stop taking some of these and that will reduce the close even more!

New and Improved Budget $9,000