Franklin Lopez' Kidney Transplant Journey

Hello Family and Friends,

Franklin Lopez, 2nd son of Filomena “Tinang” Lopez and the late Bernardino Reyes Lopez, Sr. will undergo a kidney transplant at UCSF in San Francisco California. We are asking for your prayers and positive wishes for a good clean procedure.

While Franklin has kept himself fairly healthy through his years, his kidney was the one thing that was not functioning properly and began failing. On the advance of his medical team, they recommended that he begin his journey and search for a kidney donor. His grandson Dylan Kainoa jumped in as a possible contributor, as well as his only child and son Matthew Lopez. However, after much discussions with Franklin’s medical team and his family, and a whole gamut of blood tests, it was discovered that there were some parameters in Matthew’s test results that prevented him from being Franklin’s perfect match.

So the search for an alternative donor began again. Franklin did not have to look far as his wife and partner Ann Melinda Lopez jumped in and put her name in the ring as another possible donor. Once again, tests we done to ensure all parameters will make Ann a good match for Franklin. The “line of life” produced very good results as Ann was an excellent choice for a donor.

A year and half later, with many doctor visits, tests, and discussions with his medical team, The procedure is moving forward. On March 25th, Franklin, Ann and Ann’s daughter Taimane will fly from Hawaii to San Francisco to prepare for the transplant procedure. Matthew and his family will fly in from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Both Franklin and Ann will need responsible caregivers to assist them during their one month stay in San Francisco to recover from the procedure. Matthew will be Franklin’s caregiver until Ann is strong enough to resume the caregiver responsibility. In the meantime, Taimane, Ann’s daughter will be Ann’s caregiver while she recovers from donating her kidney to Franklin.

The transplant procedure will take place on Friday, March 29th. Ann is schedule for her procedure first in the early morning and Franklin will follow shortly thereafter. The recovery time in the hospital for Ann is about 3 days. Franklin’s recovery time in the hospital is about a week provided no issues occur during that time.

Both Matthew and Taimane will remain in San Francisco for about 2- 3 weeks to help Ann and Franklin recover. Once Franklin is released from the hospital, he must remain close to UCSF for one month to ensure his body does not reject the kidney. While there is family in Walnut Creek and Martinez, his medical team said that they have to stay closer to USCF in San Francisco. They had to find a place to rent while they recover.

Needless to say, there are many extra expenses for all parties involved. We have set up a Go Fund Me account to help Frankin, Ann, Matthew and Taimane with some of the additional expenses they will incur while they are setting up home in San Francisco. Whatever you can give to help our families will be greatly appreciated.

If you cannot donate any monetary gifts at the moment, your prayers are a welcomed warmth.