Angela Bates Double Transplant Fund

Here is Angela’s Story..
Angela was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes about 28 years ago and has been living with the horrific complications ever since. Over time the Diabetes lead her to end stage kidney failure, which put her on dialysis for a year. While on dialysis, and nearing the end of her life she got approved for a dual transplant at OHSU here in Oregon. Because of the severity of her health she was put to the top of the list. She was on the journey for a new pancreas and kidney! And that day FINALLY came! On May 20, 2016 Angela got the call that would ultimately save her life. Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude to her heroic donor for giving her this amazing gift of life. She knew the bumpy road that stood ahead, yet she kept her spirits up and was ready for the battle. The transplant surgery itself took around 5 1/2 hours and was difficult on her body because of complications during the procedure. Due to severe low blood pressure during surgery they had to push large amounts of IV fluids. Angela woke up from the procedure in ICU where she layed 50 POUNDS heavier from fluid.  She was off to a rough start, her kidney was slow to begin working, she had clotting issues, her low blood pressure was problematic and the intensive amounts of medication she was receiving put an extremely difficult tole on her physically and mentally. But after all that 16 days post transplant, she was stable and ready to come home! And since she has been home we have celebrated many terrific milestones, such as the not only one, two, three, and four month marks. But we just crossed the line at the FIVE MONTH mark! Every step and marker along the way is nothing short of disserved by Angela, she fights everyday to keep going and to heal. On a daily basis Angela sees multiple different doctors and specialists. Not only is she healing from this enormous surgery she is also healing and dealing with the severe complications that have resulted because of her MANY years of having juvenile diabetes. What most people are not aware of is that a transplant is a form of treatment, it is not a cure; and it requires ongoing care daily for the new organs. The various medication Angela is currently taking are prescribed for life, and in order to keep the organs from rejecting these medications will be an expensive required for the duration of her new organs. Angela's prior complications are still there but with transplant as the form of treatment those complications are not expected to progress and our hope is they will get better over time.

With that we are beyond happy to say that Angela has two wonderful transplanted working organs, which have been famously named PANCAKE (Pancreas) and BEAN (kidney). With her continuous healing we have even seen some slow improvements along the post transplant journey. We recently celebrated Angie being out of her wheelchair! Which is a HUGE improvement. She has been unable to walk without help for the past several years and has been unable to get around the past 2 years without the use of a wheelchair. Angela is healing and improving daily and if you know Angela, you know she is one of the toughest, strongest fighters out there. She is grateful beyond words for as much time as these new organs will give her. Because of her precious donor, Angie has been given more time here with all of us. She thinks about the donor and the donor family daily and is so grateful for the selfless gift they gave her.

For those of you who do not know Angela, let me describe her to you, she is a selfless individual who would give you the shirt of her back if that is what you needed, she is loving, caring, humble, humorous, grateful, appreciative and overall she is a true definition of a great person. Her love for animals and for others shows her gentle caring nature, she's willing to give to everyone around her without thinking twice. She is a humble person who does not ask for help, she does not want to burden others. Yet she is the first person to be there for her friends and loved one to give a helping hand whenever it is needed. As one of Angela's friends I know she needs us now more than ever. From constant visits to specialists, different appointments, and tons of medication the past, current, and future medical bills have put a heavy weight on Angela and Greg's shoulders.
A transplant is nothing short of a miracle, however receiving a transplant and the healing process is long, difficult, and extremely expensive.

That's where you guys come in, we need your help! We are raising money to help Angela pay her medical bills as well as pay for her MUCH needed continued home care. Due to the severe state of Angela's health prior to transplant the doctors believe she will take longer to heal, and it will be at least a full year before she is able to feel more of the benefits of her double transplant. We are hoping by the year mark Angela will be able to gain more independence while being able to feel healthier on a daily basis. Because this journey is long, difficult and expensive the amount raised previously was only able to cover some of the expenses, it has already been completely used on medication, copays and caretaking for Angela. With there being no money left, the medical bills continue to fly in. She continues taking her medication, going to various specialists and needing caretaking daily while Greg is at work. Angela still deals with poor vision and low blood pressure along with new side effects from medication post transplant. With the view of her getting better in sight, we need to focus on the current care Angela desperately needs. She is having her caretaker drive her to and from appointment, give her care, run errands when necessary and help with necessities that cannot go undone. Caretaking is one of the most if not the most important thing Angela needs right now, she has found a wonderful caregiver and she receives exceptional care which she needs to continue receiving until she regains some of her independence. While the healing process takes time and has its difficulties, Angela's care taker is able to help lift stress out of angies life so she is able to focus on healing and progressing forward. We are hoping to help Angela and Greg raise money to help them through this continued journey.

If you have previously helped Angela out we thank you! And we ask if you will share this page to others, send positive thoughts and keep the support going strong. WE CAN DO THIS! Angela is grateful and appreciative for everything she receives, if it is a positive thought, a prayer, a share on facebook or even a comment on this page showing support I know that it means everything to her. She is an extremely deserving person, and shows so much appreciation to those around her. Please help me to show her that she can do this and we all can help her raise the money she needs to continue on.

Thank you for taking your time to read this. Please Copy, Paste and share Angela's Story to others, as we truly need all the help we can get. As we continue on through Angela's Journey we are forever greatful to each and everyone of you. 


First GoFundMe post.
After months of doctor visits, tests and approvals, Angela has been accepted at Oregon Health & Science University for a dual kidney pancreas transplant. The medical team thinks that a transplant will happen quickly. We are asking for help to raise money to assist with medical bills, medical equipment, non-paid leave, and an in-home caregiver.  The leave will enable her husband to care for Angela and to provide a caregiver for her when he returns to work.

A little bit about Angela.... Angela is an amazing 40-something year old mother of two, wife, sister, daughter, Aunt, cousin and friend. Her passion is animals; she is a huge advocate for animal rights and rescuing animals. 

She also enjoys photography, birding, cooking, gardening and loves her family. Angela has always been the first one to help others when needed.  At the age of 29 she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. After raising her two children as a single mom, she married a wonderful, giving man Greg. Eight years ago, while on antibiotics, she had an adverse reaction which attacked her nerves and her health started to decline. Over the years she has struggled with many severe complications and has not been able to work or do the things that she loves. In August 2015, her kidneys failed and she was put on dialysis. After having complications with dialysis, a double transplant was seen by her medical team as the only option.   

We are humbly asking for financial assistance for our amazing friend and family member. She and Greg have exhausted all of their resources. Angela dreams of the day when she can once again walk, enjoy the wonders of nature, play with her future grandchildren, cook, rescue animals and enjoy life again. Any funds raised would be dedicated to: 1) assistance with medical bills (life-long prescriptions for anti-rejection medication, and other life-long  medications, doctor visits, hospital bills, etc.); 2) medical supplies; 3) assistance with home care expenses since Greg  has exhausted all his paid time off and would like to be able to attend the surgery and be available for when Angela comes home, and finally; 4) covering the costs of an in-home caregiver to assist when Angela comes home from the surgery and her husband returns to work. The caregiver will also provide transportation to and from the many doctor visits that will be needed after the surgery. It is expected that the recovery will be long and difficult due to the severity of the surgery and the state of her health at this time.

Thank you so much for reading about Angela. We love Angela so much and are extremely thankful for any help you are willing to provide. There is a hard road ahead for Angela, but with your help and her fighting spirit we know she will be a success story.