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PLEASE HELP SHEILAH LIVE!
Hello friends, family and new acquaintances. We hope this message finds you well.
We are reaching out with a heavy heart and an urgent mission. Our dear friend, Sheilah, is fighting for her life and we are sending a plea for help. Sheilah was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease; her kidney function has declined to critically low levels, which places her in Stage 5 kidney failure. It’s a heartbreaking diagnosis that has left us in disbelief. Her condition is at an urgent point whereby a kidney transplant is the best hope for survival. In the meantime, she is utilizing numerous medical techniques, treatments, and supplements to help maintain her health and life until we find a live kidney donor. After receiving her kidney transplant, she will need specific additional care; however, her team of doctors and specialists expect a full recovery with mild complications.
OUR GOALS:
1. Urgently seeking a live kidney donor. The waitlist for a deceased kidney is 6-7 years!
a. If we find a live kidney donor, the transplant can typically occur at a fast pace.
b. The donor’s blood type is no longer an issue; if the donor’s blood is not a match, the donor can participate in the national kidney pairing program, which allows Sheilah to receive the very next live kidney match within the kidney pairing system.
2. Fundraising. We aim to raise $358,464 to help alleviate the tremendous financial burden on Sheilah, and to also cover all donor costs. We have learned that the total life costs over 30 years will exceed $3,181,464; therefore, we will not rest until we reach the ultimate goal of giving Sheilah the best life possible. Every dollar counts; every contribution is appreciated and gives her the life she deserves. Cost calculations are explained in the FINANCIAL SUMMARY near the end of the document. We welcome all questions and discussions regarding kidney donation and the donor process.
3. Sharing Sheilah’s Story. Please share with your networks. It takes just one person to save a life, and any financial contribution will affect Sheilah’s outcome.
Note: The creators of Sheilah’s “GoFundMe” page have already contributed monies and donated as much funds as they are able. Additionally, they are unable to donate a kidney due to their own health issues.
ABOUT SHEILAH
Let me share a few facts about Sheilah. She is a loyal friend, daughter, sibling, confidante, and a source of joy for so many! Sheilah is consistently selfless; always supporting others and ready to share a laugh, Sheilah touches people’s lives with kindness, compassion and humility. With her warm energy and giving nature, she is the sweetest person we’ve ever known. Before the kidney decline, Sheilah was very energetic and active. She was inspired by her dynamic career, enjoyed volunteering, adopting rescue dogs, exercising, and spending quality time with friends and family. Now, Sheilah is a shell of her previously vital self.
PHOTOS SHOWN BELOW:
- The first two photos are current, where Sheilah recently lost at least 10 lbs that she can't afford to lose.
- The video was several months ago when she was feeling better than now, but already looking frail.
- The last three photos are from 3 to 6 years ago, before the extreme decline in her kidney function.
SHEILAH'S STRUGGLE WITH KIDNEY FAILURE
As Sheilah’s kidneys continue to decline, they no longer filter and remove toxins from her body. The constant pain is incredibly challenging for Sheilah, along with the stress and emotional toll on her and her loved ones, her extremely restricted diet, currently not able to work, and dealing with symptoms such as:
- Acute pain in kidneys & abdomen
- Extreme exhaustion, shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Headaches and lightheaded
- Trouble sleeping
- Confusion & brain fog
- Blurred vision
- Swelling/edema, anemia
- Nausea & vomiting
- Joint pain, muscle cramps
- Difficulty concentrating, changes in mood
- Itchy & dry skin
Despite these hardships, Sheilah remains courageous, positive, and hopeful for a bright future. Her bravery in the face of adversity inspires us all.
IMPACT OF A LIVE DONOR
A live donor is the best option for a transplant!
- Live donor kidneys last approximately twice as long as deceased donor kidneys.
- Live donor transplant allows patients to skip long wait times while waiting for deceased donors.
A kidney transplant from a live donor will completely change Sheilah’s world. She would have a new lease on life, with her new increased kidney function being sustained for decades. She would regain her energy and active lifestyle and be able to enjoy the social life she has missed terribly. With a donor kidney, Sheilah will experience a complete reversal from the isolation and pain she currently endures.
CONSIDERING LIVING DONATION
We are reaching out to friends, family, and new acquaintances to consider becoming a living donor. We understand the magnitude of this request and are filled with gratitude for your consideration and for every conversation and effort that brings us closer to finding her kidney match.
Step 1: The process begins with a brief Interest Form that is completed online. When the form is completed, the Transplant Center will contact you if you are cleared to move forward.
Step 2: You will be asked to complete blood and urine tests, along with several physical tests to determine your level of general health, and to ensure there is no unusual risk to donation.
The kidney donation process is carefully monitored by the medical team to be sure the donor and Sheilah are fully prepared, ensuring a seamless process to protect the donor and to save Sheilah’s life.
For more information and to express interest in donating, please explore the resources at the end of this document. Also, feel free to call us at 619-884-7791.
FUNDRAISING
The cost of a kidney transplant is very expensive, and insurance does not cover all expenses. Total costs include, but are not limited to intensive pre-transplant evaluations, surgery for Sheilah and her donor, post-operative care, lifelong medications and supplements for Sheilah, and covering all costs for the donor. This is an amount that she simply cannot afford on her own. These fundraiser amounts will help Sheilah and the donor; contact us for details.
Additionally, due to complications and other medical conditions, Sheilah needs further medications, supplements, treatments, professional care, transportation, etc. These healthcare needs are not covered by insurance; Sheilah must pay these expenses on her own. Humbly, we ask for your support. Any level of contribution will bring Sheilah one step closer to receiving the life-saving transplant that she desperately needs. Your generosity will not only help cover the medical expenses but also give her a chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life once again.
We understand if you’re not able to donate. However, you can still make an impact by sharing Sheilah’s fight with your network. Spreading the word can make a significant difference and bring us much closer to our goal.
WITH OUR APPRECIATION AND RESPECT
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to read Sheilah’s story, and for any support you can provide. Your consideration and compassion mean the world to Sheilah and her family. We hope and pray that the power and support of community will help restore this wonderful and beautiful person in her pursuit of health, fulfillment, love, and joy!
With sincere gratitude and optimism,
~TEAM SHEILAH
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Most kidney patients receive partial coverage for a kidney transplant; however, due to medical conditions and complications, Sheilah needs additional medications, supplements, treatments, professional care, transportation, etc. Sadly, these health care needs are not covered by insurance and must be paid "out of pocket"; Sheilah must cover these expenses on her own.
We are humbly targeting $358,464, with the hope that we can raise her full 10 years of life cost of $1,060,464.
We hope and pray that Sheilah lives 30+ years. Assuming the above costs do not increase, 10 years of life at $1,060,464 will cost over $3,181,464 for the full 30 years.
FINANCIAL COST SUMMARY
Years 1-3: $358,464
Years 4-10: $1,060,464
Years 11-30: $3,181,464
COST CALCULATIONS
3-year costs: $78,000 + $171,600 + $2,064 + $106,800 = $358,464.
10-year costs: $780,000 + $171,600 + $2,064 + $106,800 = $1,060,464.
1) Medications and supplements per month: $6,500: 12 months x $6,500 = $78,000.
(These costs are understated as last month's costs were $13,000).
Sheilah will be on these medications and supplements for the rest of her life.
10-year forecast is $78,000 x 10 = $780,000.
2) 24-hour nurse care for 12 months at $14,300 per month = $171,600.
3) Sheilah will need transportation to/from the hospital for 6 months: $43 x 2 per week for 6 months = $2,064.
4) Rehabilitation: 12 months of rehabilitation, body reconditioning and treatments:
a. FIRST SIX MONTHS OF YEAR ONE: $445 per day for 6 months of the first year: $53,400 + $21,360 + 21,360 + $10,680 = $106,800.
$445 x 5 days per week = $2,225 per week; $2,225 per week x 4 weeks per month = $8,900 per month x 6 months = $53,400.
b. SECOND 6 MONTHS OF YEAR ONE: $445 X 2 days per week = 890 per week; 890 per week x 4 weeks per month = $3,560 per month x 6 months = $21,360.
c. YEAR TWO: $445 X 1 day per week = $445 per week; $445 per week x 4 weeks per month = $1,780 per month x 12 months = $21,360.
d. YEAR THREE: $445 every two weeks per month = $890 per month. $890 per month x 12 = $10,680.
As you can see above, the total estimated (conservative) cost over 10 years is $1,060,464. Finally, 30 years multiplied by the ten-year cost of $1,060,464 = $3,181,464.
Doctors have advised that one year after kidney transplant, Sheilah will be able to enjoy a normal life and live for another 30 years. She will be able to run, swim, train with weights, enjoy dinners out, social events, travel without restrictions, and so much more! She will truly experience JOY again.
CONSIDERING A LIVING DONATION
For questions, please feel free to reach out to us and directly message us here.
Please explore the attached informative links and resources.
▪ Informative & Educational Resources: https://health.ucdavis.edu/transplant/livingkidneydonation/index.html
▪ Tax Credit by State: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Updated-Living-Donor-Laws-2024.pdf
TESTIMONIAL #1 - Sheilah helped me immensely
Our friends were taken advantage of and had extensive legal problems due to a lender forging his and other’s signatures to steal money and buy assets with their names. It was very overwhelming and there were days that they could not get out of bed.
They lived in Southern California and Sheilah lived in Northern California. Sheilah drove to Southern California over 12 times (10-hour drive south, then another 10-hour’s drive back home) to help them; however, Sheilah had medical issues, kidney pain related to kidney cysts, headaches, and brain fog, etc. Sheilah organized their documents, cases, lives; moreover, she motivated them to press on; she was the strong support when they needed someone to step up and help them even though she constantly felt and still feels constant pain. She has always been incredibly sweet and compassionate; helping others without expecting anything in return.
TESTIMONIAL #2 - Sheilah helped my Mother fight cancer
- Sheilah helped motivate my mother to keep her fight going and to keep her spirits high.
- Sheilah is the most giving person I’ve met, and she is genuinely sweet and kind.
- Sheilah has a positive outlook on life and always puts the needs of others before her own.