Let's help Hap!

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1980.  In 1984 I had surgery to remove my colon and rectum.  Prior to the surgery I had to take large doses of Prednisone, a drug that helps with pain but can cause diabetes, kidney problems, cancer and excessive weight gain.  Since  1984, I have had several surgeries and developed diabetes, kidney problems and a growth on my left kidney.  Subsequently the growth on the kidney was removed.  As time went on the diabetes worsened and my kidney function diminished to the point that I am now in dialysis three times a week (4.5 hours per time).

The good news is I have been accepted into the Kidney Transplant Program at the University of Illinois-Chicago Medical Center.  When the time comes for my transplant, which I am hopeful will be sometime yet this year, I must be in Chicago for 30 days.  

The kidney transplant is my chance to live a better life.  Currently the diaIysis (for which I am grateful) means I can not live my life fully as I am more confined, not as active, tire far more easily and the stress of the financial burden is great.  My sales career was cut short by my medical problems during the height of my earning potential.   I have seven grandchildren ranging from 25 years to 6 years old.  My dream is to teach the youngest how to golf, to possible coach youth football again and most important to dance with my wife of 33 years.  

This campaign will help me  cover what insurance does not pay for including living expenses (housing, food, transportation) while in Chicago, out-of-pocket medication costs (the anti-rejection drug alone costs $1,000 per month), and it is possible I may need in-home health care during my recovery.