It's a very helpless and humbling experience when a loved one is facing an unexpected health crisis. Unfortunately, more than 100,000 people are currently on the wait list for a kidney transplant in the US. The average wait time is 3 to 5 years from a deceased donor. We wanted to start this page more than anything to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation to save lives! Please let your wishes be known to your family and friends! Plus, there is drastic need for living donors!
Thirty years ago, our son, Mike, went on a fortuitous blind date and found the love of his life, his beautiful wife, Beth! They have been blessed with a wonderful marriage and three perfect daughters. Two of their daughters are in college and one is planning a fall marriage to her fiancé when he returns from deployment.
Mike was born with one functioning kidney. Everything was great until it wasn’t. After countless stays in the hospital, he was placed on dialysis. The problem with kidney failure is that it can and will affect other organs. He retained fluid around his heart, developed diabetes along with diabetic retinopathy, etc. Dialysis is not a cure, but it helps filter your blood and keep you alive until you can find a kidney donor! For three hours a day every day, Mike has dialysis. He has consistently demonstrated what true bravery and strength look like. Mike, Beth and their families are the most empathetic, kind-hearted wonderful people you will ever encounter!
This was never more apparent than despite having a different blood type Beth is perfect match to give Mike one of her kidneys! It has been a long slow process! Despite not having any symptoms, testing discovered Beth has a fast-growing cyst on her ovary that required surgery. Currently, they found she has two kidney stones she needs to pass before Mike can receive her kidney. Despite the countless doctors’ visits, tests, daily dialysis, they both have remained in good spirits and continued to work to support their family!
Having insurance has helped tremendously. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover everything. Mike and Beth currently have about $20,000 in medical expenses. Mike will need to quarantine and be off work for 3 to 6 months while he recovers. Beth will need to be off work for 2 to 3 weeks while she recovers. The journey doesn’t end with surgery; Mike will need anti-rejection medication and treatment for the rest of his life. These lifesaving, lifelong drugs can total over $15,000 annually!
Asking for help is something our family never imagined and never wanted to do. We did not take this decision lightly. However, the thought of at least one person being able to read this and become a donor makes it all worthwhile!
Please do not feel obligated in any way to donate, while any amount is appreciated and will allow Mike and Beth to focus on healing and ease their financial burden. Our main purpose is to bring awareness to the need for organ donation to save lives! Mike and Beth are Blessed with a supportive family and friends who will be with them as they recover.
Most importantly our family would appreciate it if you would share our story and highlight the need for organ donation to save the lives of others needing a kidney. We want to encourage everyone if your health will allow it to sign up to be a living donor and save someone’s life! Life-saving surgery from a living donor can be performed much sooner and any blood type can be an asset!
It means more to us than anything that you took the time and read our story and hopefully will consider becoming a donor. We want to thank everyone for your prayers, wishes, and positive thoughts! We will update this page to keep everyone posted on Mike and Beth’s journey. We value and cherish everyone’s kindness!
There is a critical, urgent need for kidney donors, with over 90,000 to 101,000 Americans currently on the national waiting list. Disturbingly an average of 12 people die daily waiting for a kidney. Living donations offer better long-term outcomes for recipients and a faster way to transplant. BE A HERO! For more information about kidney donations please visit:
Organizer and beneficiary
David Levy
Beneficiary