As some of you may know, after years of waiting, my friend Kristin recently received a kidney transplant! She’s been waiting a little over 5 years and finally got the call a few weeks ago that it was time. While this is the most exciting time of her life, she has found there are a lot more costs involved than anticipated. Before we get into that, let me share some backstory, as told by Kristin herself.

 

“I like to joke that I have the most pre-existing conditions of all pre-existing conditions, as my kidney disease was found via ultrasound while I was still taking up residence in my mother. My parents knew I had kidney disease before they knew what my name was going to be. I have dealt with many complications related to this throughout my life. There have been numerous surgeries, procedures, and hospitalizations. A little over 3.5 years ago, my kidneys finally failed completely and I had to start dialysis. Dialysis has been one of the hardest times of my life. The treatments were 3-4 hours at a time, 3 days a week, and as time went on, I only got sicker. I have been unable to work for the past 2 years due to my declining health on dialysis. It has been a constant rollercoaster of being sick, needing new medication, becoming weaker, and losing my quality of life.

 

On April 16, 2022, after 5 years of waiting, I received news that a young organ donor had passed away and that we were a match. Four days later I received his kidney by transplant. I’m endlessly grateful that his family made the choice to move forward with donating his organs during an unbelievably difficult time. Because of this man and his family, I now have a chance at a long life.

 

It’s been two weeks since receiving my new kidney, and each day my kidney function improves. I already feel better than I ever have before. While chatting with my parents about it, we discovered that my current kidney function is better than the day I was born. I have never lived a life without this chronic disease and at 34 years old, I may finally have the chance. It’s impossible to convey how excited and grateful I am.”

 

While this experience has been life-changing for Kristin, it has also come with more expenses than she and her family could have expected, and she deserves some help. Her recovery time is estimated to be 3-4 months if all goes well. Because of this long recovery period she needs a bit of help meeting some financial obligations. While her parents have been generously driving her to several appointments per week and taking care of her housing, meals, and medications, there is simply only so much one family can take on. I am asking you to make a financial contribution to offset some of these costs. I am also asking you to make sure you’re a registered organ donor and to have a conversation with your family about your wishes. If you live in the US, you can register here https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up.

 

Here is how your financial support will help Kristin and her family:

 

1. Mortgage payments: it will take time for Kristin to recover, and re-enter the workforce after 4 years, so she’ll need some help making her monthly payments.

 

2. New furniture: high doses of lifelong immunosuppressive medications mean Kristin will need a new bed and possibly a new couch.

 

3. Self-cleaning litter box: some of the new medications that she has to take will prevent her from cleaning a standard litter box. Kristin has had her cats Frankie and Carl for over 10 years and couldn’t possibly rehome them. Her transplant team has recommended a self-cleaning litter box that can safely be emptied weekly while wearing a mask and gloves. These things are so expensive!

 

4. Medication Co-pays: one of the more expensive things she has to pay is medication co-pays. She has 4 insurances covering her but transplant medications can be very expensive. Throughout the first several months there are many medication changes being made so she often has to pay for new medications all throughout the month.

 

5. House cleaning: Kristin will not be physically capable of cleaning her house for at least a few months. She will need to hire a cleaner to come weekly.