Yvonne's Kidney Transplant Fund
Donation protected
In November of 2013 Yvonne, a loving wife and mother of two, was diagnosed with ESRD (End-Stage-Renal-Disease) kidney failure. She was preparing to leave for her daughter's soccer game (she was the team's volunteer coach) when she got the call. Her doctor ordered her to check in to Sarasota Memorial Hospital right away which would lead to a month long hospital stay.
She settled in to the routine of a new life on hemo-dailysis. This new routine meant spending almost 4 hours in a chair at the kidney center hooked up to a machine three times a week. As you can imagine, you do a lot of self-reflection when you have that much time to fill. But she would stay positive and keep herself busy by writing cards, reading books and even trying to learn how to crochet (that one never did catch on).
Yvonne at the kidney center in 2013
She was soon given the opportunity to do her dialysis in the comfort of her own home. Starting with manual sessions at first, 30 minutes at a time, three times everyday. More often, but at home. More freedom, but she would still have to plan ahead everyday to work around her sessions.
Finally, she was ready for at-home overnight dialysis. This would give her the freedom to go all day without worrying about a schedule. But this new freedom would come with a price, what she calls drain-pain. Without getting too technical, the at-home machine first drains then refills a large amount of fluid out and into the body. The "drain-pain” from the draining process is painful enough to bring her to tears with sounds reminiscent of the delivery room. While some nights are better than others, this 20 minute painful ritual would be a nightly occurrence. No one was ever aware about this because Yvonne is a fighter and honestly, this is not the best subject for a Facebook post. Instead her focus would be on the freedom it was giving her and the fact that this machine & process, though painful, was keeping her alive.
Which brings us to today. While a blood relative donor is ideal, this option was not available for her. Several friends, a co-worker from a past job 20 years ago and even a neighbor would come close to a match (Thank you all!). However, we are so grateful to share the news that all of our thoughts and prayers have been answered and a matching donor has been found, glory to God! Her donor happens to be Yvonne's childhood friend Cybil. Like most kids, Yvonne & Cybil ran around on the playground, they drew pictures together, and even swung from vines, but they'd never imagine that thier friendship would someday be a life-saving one. We can’t express our gratitude enough and we are touched by her generosity that will change the quality of Yvonne’s life for many, many years to come. Thank you Cybil - LYLAS! (love you like a sister).
Yvonne and Cybil in Clearwater, Florida 2015
How You Can Help:
While most of the transplant procedure is covered, many expenses including air travel, meals, lodging, transportation and lost wages are not covered for either the donor or recipient and is all paid out-of-pocket. Cybil is already making a wonderful life-saving donation and shouldn't have to worry or endure a financial strain.
All of the funds raised will be used for airfare, transportation, food, lodging as well as to help with lost wages for both our families during the two week process.
Additionally, after the operation we will need to travel to/from Tampa General Hospital (around 60 miles each way) twice a week, every week for first three months. Once a week for additional two months. And many, many follow ups from there.
Your donation will also help with the expensive monthly anti-rejection medicines she will have to take.
If you prefer to give offline you can do so by mailing your donation to;
Yvonne Zaccone
P.O. BOX 5625
Sarasota, FL 34277
Your name & gift will be added to the online tally.
Thank you for your prayers, love & support!
Sharing this page alone helps tremendously. Simply click one of the buttons below.
She settled in to the routine of a new life on hemo-dailysis. This new routine meant spending almost 4 hours in a chair at the kidney center hooked up to a machine three times a week. As you can imagine, you do a lot of self-reflection when you have that much time to fill. But she would stay positive and keep herself busy by writing cards, reading books and even trying to learn how to crochet (that one never did catch on).
Yvonne at the kidney center in 2013She was soon given the opportunity to do her dialysis in the comfort of her own home. Starting with manual sessions at first, 30 minutes at a time, three times everyday. More often, but at home. More freedom, but she would still have to plan ahead everyday to work around her sessions.
Finally, she was ready for at-home overnight dialysis. This would give her the freedom to go all day without worrying about a schedule. But this new freedom would come with a price, what she calls drain-pain. Without getting too technical, the at-home machine first drains then refills a large amount of fluid out and into the body. The "drain-pain” from the draining process is painful enough to bring her to tears with sounds reminiscent of the delivery room. While some nights are better than others, this 20 minute painful ritual would be a nightly occurrence. No one was ever aware about this because Yvonne is a fighter and honestly, this is not the best subject for a Facebook post. Instead her focus would be on the freedom it was giving her and the fact that this machine & process, though painful, was keeping her alive.
Which brings us to today. While a blood relative donor is ideal, this option was not available for her. Several friends, a co-worker from a past job 20 years ago and even a neighbor would come close to a match (Thank you all!). However, we are so grateful to share the news that all of our thoughts and prayers have been answered and a matching donor has been found, glory to God! Her donor happens to be Yvonne's childhood friend Cybil. Like most kids, Yvonne & Cybil ran around on the playground, they drew pictures together, and even swung from vines, but they'd never imagine that thier friendship would someday be a life-saving one. We can’t express our gratitude enough and we are touched by her generosity that will change the quality of Yvonne’s life for many, many years to come. Thank you Cybil - LYLAS! (love you like a sister).
Yvonne and Cybil in Clearwater, Florida 2015How You Can Help:
While most of the transplant procedure is covered, many expenses including air travel, meals, lodging, transportation and lost wages are not covered for either the donor or recipient and is all paid out-of-pocket. Cybil is already making a wonderful life-saving donation and shouldn't have to worry or endure a financial strain.
All of the funds raised will be used for airfare, transportation, food, lodging as well as to help with lost wages for both our families during the two week process.
Additionally, after the operation we will need to travel to/from Tampa General Hospital (around 60 miles each way) twice a week, every week for first three months. Once a week for additional two months. And many, many follow ups from there.
Your donation will also help with the expensive monthly anti-rejection medicines she will have to take.
If you prefer to give offline you can do so by mailing your donation to;
Yvonne Zaccone
P.O. BOX 5625
Sarasota, FL 34277
Your name & gift will be added to the online tally.
Thank you for your prayers, love & support!
Sharing this page alone helps tremendously. Simply click one of the buttons below.
Organizer
Yvonne Zaccone
Organizer
Sarasota, FL
