Cindi’s Kidney Transplant Fund
Donation protected
Greetings everyone and thank you for taking the time to read and consider my request.
I am writing this post with a humble request to help my step-mother and very good friend, Cindi. She lives in upstate NY and is preparing for a kidney transplant.
About Cindi:
Cindi is a hard worker and a very driven person. Whether it is waiting tables at the Elks, working at the flower shop, attending Zumba classes or golfing, she is always on the go and loves the social interaction. She has a zest for life and always finds time to volunteer for countless causes in her community. Cindi loves spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.
The issue:
In 2009, a routine yearly physical showed high amounts of protein in Cindi’s urine so she was sent to a nephrologist where they performed a kidney biopsy. Cindi was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called fibrillary glomerulonephritis which impacts millions of the glomeruli (filtering units that make up the kidney). The large amount of protein her body produces becomes trapped in the straining layers and disrupts filtration. As the disease progresses, the kidneys lose the ability to filter and clean the blood ultimately becoming damaged beyond repair and resulting in end-stage kidney disease. Cindi has been rather private about her condition and for years she was able to treat the symptoms and attempt to slow the deterioration of her kidneys by strictly changing her dietary habits and increasing exercise but she has reached the point of needing a kidney transplant.
Cindi was recently approved for a kidney transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Her niece, Lori, is a match and has selflessly volunteered to become a living donor for Cindi. Their surgery dates are scheduled for June 20th, 2017.
Some things you may not know about kidney donations/transplants:
· A kidney from a living donor lasts much longer and offers a better quality of life, and is the preferred choice for someone as otherwise healthy as Cindi.
· A person only needs one kidney to live.
· Organ donors go on to lead happy, healthy lives.
· The operation is done laparoscopically and the donor usually spends about 2 days in the hospital. Recovery period for the donor is a few weeks and the donor can get back to a normal life.
· The organ recipient usually spends 5 days in the hospital and has several follow up visits over the first year to ensure the anti-rejection medicines and new kidney are working correctly.
Financial help:
Cindi has always been super independent and self-sufficient and found it very difficult to even tell people about her disease let alone ask her family and friends to donate money. On her behalf, I decided to help and am reaching out to you and seeking your generosity.
Cindi’s insurance will cover the cost of her surgery as well as Lori’s surgery. The funds raised here will help cover the items insurance doesn’t pay for that she has already incurred as well as upcoming expenses:
· Travel expenses – gas for numerous trips to and from Rochester (3 hours each way from their home town) for both Cindi and Lori for pre-transplant testing and evaluations as well as once to twice a week post-transplant follow up care for Cindi for the first three months and monthly for the first year.
· Lodging – for both Lori and Cindi during pre-transplant testing and post care follow-up visits as well as for caregiver family members for both Lori and Cindi during the hospital stays
· Copays and deductibles – for expensive anti-rejection medicines Cindi will be on for the rest of her life, frequent doctor and blood draw visit copays and large medical deductibles.
· Incidentals – for all those little things that unexpectedly pop up like car repairs and maintenance from putting on so many miles
Any of your donations – small or large will make a very big difference. Please open your hearts not just for financial help but for prayers, karma points, positive juju and good vibes as well.
Even if you cannot donate, I would greatly appreciate it if you could PLEASE share this. I will be posting updates to keep family and friends posted on Cindi and Lori’s surgery and aftercare as I will be with them in Rochester.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this. We really appreciate it!!.
Colleen Rast
Help spread the word!!
I am writing this post with a humble request to help my step-mother and very good friend, Cindi. She lives in upstate NY and is preparing for a kidney transplant.
About Cindi:
Cindi is a hard worker and a very driven person. Whether it is waiting tables at the Elks, working at the flower shop, attending Zumba classes or golfing, she is always on the go and loves the social interaction. She has a zest for life and always finds time to volunteer for countless causes in her community. Cindi loves spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.
The issue:
In 2009, a routine yearly physical showed high amounts of protein in Cindi’s urine so she was sent to a nephrologist where they performed a kidney biopsy. Cindi was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called fibrillary glomerulonephritis which impacts millions of the glomeruli (filtering units that make up the kidney). The large amount of protein her body produces becomes trapped in the straining layers and disrupts filtration. As the disease progresses, the kidneys lose the ability to filter and clean the blood ultimately becoming damaged beyond repair and resulting in end-stage kidney disease. Cindi has been rather private about her condition and for years she was able to treat the symptoms and attempt to slow the deterioration of her kidneys by strictly changing her dietary habits and increasing exercise but she has reached the point of needing a kidney transplant.
Cindi was recently approved for a kidney transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Her niece, Lori, is a match and has selflessly volunteered to become a living donor for Cindi. Their surgery dates are scheduled for June 20th, 2017.
Some things you may not know about kidney donations/transplants:
· A kidney from a living donor lasts much longer and offers a better quality of life, and is the preferred choice for someone as otherwise healthy as Cindi.
· A person only needs one kidney to live.
· Organ donors go on to lead happy, healthy lives.
· The operation is done laparoscopically and the donor usually spends about 2 days in the hospital. Recovery period for the donor is a few weeks and the donor can get back to a normal life.
· The organ recipient usually spends 5 days in the hospital and has several follow up visits over the first year to ensure the anti-rejection medicines and new kidney are working correctly.
Financial help:
Cindi has always been super independent and self-sufficient and found it very difficult to even tell people about her disease let alone ask her family and friends to donate money. On her behalf, I decided to help and am reaching out to you and seeking your generosity.
Cindi’s insurance will cover the cost of her surgery as well as Lori’s surgery. The funds raised here will help cover the items insurance doesn’t pay for that she has already incurred as well as upcoming expenses:
· Travel expenses – gas for numerous trips to and from Rochester (3 hours each way from their home town) for both Cindi and Lori for pre-transplant testing and evaluations as well as once to twice a week post-transplant follow up care for Cindi for the first three months and monthly for the first year.
· Lodging – for both Lori and Cindi during pre-transplant testing and post care follow-up visits as well as for caregiver family members for both Lori and Cindi during the hospital stays
· Copays and deductibles – for expensive anti-rejection medicines Cindi will be on for the rest of her life, frequent doctor and blood draw visit copays and large medical deductibles.
· Incidentals – for all those little things that unexpectedly pop up like car repairs and maintenance from putting on so many miles
Any of your donations – small or large will make a very big difference. Please open your hearts not just for financial help but for prayers, karma points, positive juju and good vibes as well.
Even if you cannot donate, I would greatly appreciate it if you could PLEASE share this. I will be posting updates to keep family and friends posted on Cindi and Lori’s surgery and aftercare as I will be with them in Rochester.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this. We really appreciate it!!.
Colleen Rast
Help spread the word!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Colleen Golas Rast
Organizer
Martinsburg, NY
Cindi Golas
Beneficiary
