Hi, my name is Larenne Whitaker, and I have the blessing of having 2 wonderful friends named Theresa and Eric Holder. Theresa and I worked together in our classroom the last 4 years of my teaching career, and over those 4 years, I learned just what a superhero she is!

Not only does Theresa work full-time as a kindergarten assistant, but she also takes care of her 21-year old son, Josh, who has Down syndrome. She maintains their entire house and yard, keeping them both immaculate at all times, helps her aging parents year round with tedious house and yard work, along with caring for her declining husband, Eric, since his diagnosis of end-stage renal disease 6 years ago. I've never known someone who can juggle so many huge responsibilities on barely any sleep day after day, while still keeping a smile on her face, and do it all so well!

Eric goes 3 times a week for dialysis, which he has been doing for years. Eric is also a diabetic, and due to his extreme health conditions, he is unable to work and is on disability. He has turned a longtime hobby of making beautiful pottery into a business, but because of the weakness caused by dialysis, even this has become an extreme challenge. There are nights that he sleeps on the couch because he is simply too weak to climb stairs to their bedroom.

Eric is now on 3 different transplant lists, but the one in Charleston is the most promising. He has been approved for a "double transplant" where he will receive both a kidney and a pancreas. As much as they regret that someone will have to lose his/her life to save Eric's, they are forever grateful to those who are generous enough to share the gift of life with others through organ donation.

Eric has been informed by the patient coordinator that the next call he receives from her will be his invitation to hurry to Charleston for his life-changing surgery. Eric, Theresa and Josh will have 8 hours from the time of the phone call to get to Charleston for the transplants.

Since it will be a double transplant, Eric will be in the hospital longer, and Theresa and Josh will have to stay in a nearby hotel. Hotel expenses, along with food and gas while they are there will add up quickly. Once home, Theresa will most definitely have to take more days off of work, and because her sick days are so limited, she will be forced to take unpaid days. When you add in medical expenses not covered by insurance along with expensive anti-rejection medications, it's definitely more than Theresa and Eric can financially cover on their own.

Eric and Theresa would deeply appreciate any amount that you may be able to donate toward their expenses. I want for them to have these funds on hand once they get that call! This has been an unbelievably tough road for both of them, and they are looking so forward to finally be able to live a life free from health struggles and for Eric to enjoy many years of wellness!

Please give what you can... every penny counts!! And please say a prayer that Eric will successfully receive both organs when God sends them. Each donation and prayer will be accepted with the utmost gratitude!