☸️fighting for a cure☯️

 Hello, my name is David, I am writing to you for support in helping me "Fight for a cure."  31 years ago I was diagnosed with Juvenile type 1 Diabetes, 17 years ago I was diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy in my left eye and in 2004 diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy in my right eye leaving me totally blind in both eyes.  In 2005 I was also diagnosed with Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease and in 2016 I had to have 4 Cardiac stents placed in the right side of my heart.  As a result of complications from Juvenile Diabetes my Kidney function has reached 15% causing me to be evaluated by Montifoire Hospital's Kidney/Pancreas transplant unit for a potential transplant surgery.  As it was explained to me by Montifoire Hospital, the wait for a new Kidney from a "dead donor" would take 5-7 years and the wait for a "dead donor" pancreas would take about the same time.  Originally, my Mom has offered to be a Kidney donor, but her age, creatinin clearence, and blood pressure reading has disqualified her from being a donor.  Merissa and I has reached out to so many in search for a potential kidney donor, as it would be, due to pre-existing medical complications and miss matched blood types, our search for a organ donor has come up empty.  Recently, my Nephrologist (Kidney doctor) explained that I would certainly need to be placed on kidney dialysis while waiting for either a "dead donor kidney" or a "live donor kidney."  Despite all my physical health complications, I still engage in a very active life style to maintain my health.  In 2008 I graduated from Suffolk community college with a Honors Associates Degree, in 2011 i graduated from St. Joseph's college with a BA degree, in 2014 i graduated from Long island University/C.W. Post with my Masters Degree, in 2014 I started working as a Rehabilitation counselor, Reiki Practitioner, Wellness coach, and i have actively been training in multiple forms of Martial arts.  At this time being on dialysis would disrupt and decline the quality of my life I have worked so very hard to maintain.  After discussing with my Primary medical doctor my concerns and frustrations, He decided to give me a referral to be evaluated by Dr. christopher Calapai, a Medical/Osteopathic doctor who speacilizes in Stem Cell Therapy for a wide host of serious health conditions.  After being evaluated by Dr. Calapai, I was scheduled for Stem Cell Therapy on Thursday August 16th.  Today Merissa and I are reaching out to everyone for help and support since the treatments/care I will need are not covered by my medical insurance.  As of now, I am taking on the debt to pay for critical procedures needed that not only would improve the quality of my life, but potentially allow me to avoid a high risk surgical procedure that Montifoire Hospital feels I would have a 50/50 chance.  Transplant surgery would cause me to be on "anti-rejection" medications that could potentially cause further complications with diabetes, my heart, and skin cancer.  There is also a risk that after transplant surgery I can still reject the new organs.  Recent research does show that Stem Cell Therapy is safer, effective, and would give me a greater chance of a new life where I can live to make more of a difference.  Any support is much appreciated, sharing my information to friends, family, co-workers, is all greatly appreciated.  Any size donation would be a great help to help pay for all the medical costs, we can all spare $1-$5 or even some of our loose change.  If any one would like to consider a donation, please use the "Go fund me" link attached to my story.  With much love and Gratitude...David Lombardi