Help Chris & Abby Find a Kidney
Donation protected
Chris and Abby's journey began a year and three months ago. Chris, who already suffered full kidney failure and a transplant back in 2005, went in for a routine post-transplant follow up appt where the doctor discovered a cancerous mass in his donated kidney.
Less than a month later (Dec 2018), he had surgery to remove the cancer. Even though the surgery appeared to be a success, complications ensued almost immediately and led to many more painful procedures. Between the cancer and complications, Chris’ kidney took quite a beating and began to fail.
They began their search for a kidney around March of 2019. It has been a cruel, disappointing process that requires an enormous about of emotional strength. They've found two perfect matches, but both fell through after three months of evaluation, back-to-back.
This November, Chris hit end stage renal failure and by January they began peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home. The transition has been very difficult, as PD requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina. But it's definitely better than the regular visits they were making to the ER as his symptoms worsened. They are still figuring out their new lifestyle, alternating difficult days with slightly less difficult days. What they hope for is a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. While dialysis keeps you alive, what they really need is a kidney.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward restarting the search for a kidney on a larger scale. Facebook and other social medias only get you so far. Whether it means taking out an ad on a billboard, newspaper, or finding something else that will make an impact, they need to get the word out in a way that will reach as many people as possible.
Secondly, many people who have wanted to donate can't afford to take time off of work or don't have the money to travel, so Chris and Abby are trying to save for the ability to fund a donor's needs, should they find one.
Finally, care-taking is much more demanding than Abby ever imagined. Overwhelmed by a full time job, handling all of the household maintenance, the dog and helping manage Chris' health, she has been running on empty for over a year, and needs the relief of some in-home support/the ability to outsource some of her duties.
Here is how Abby describes Chris, for anyone wanting to know more about the man in question:
"Chris Mosconi is 45 years old. He’s a quiet guy, until he has been cut off in traffic and then….well we won’t get into that, as we are trying to appeal to your generous side. Chris is abnormally hilarious. His comedic timing rivals the greats. He is known for his luxurious beard and his fiery passion for Philadelphia sports. There is no doubt in my mind that the Eagles winning the Superbowl was a bigger deal than our wedding. And, honestly, I’m okay with it.
He’s incredibly intelligent, remembering detailed facts about historical events I’ve never even heard of. He’s thoughtful and patient (except in traffic or when the remote stops working). He works really hard. In fact, years ago when he worked as a bike messenger in Boston, he was “doored” by a cab driver, broke both his wrists and had the doctor put his casts on in the position he holds the handlebars so he could go back to work the next day. Today he works for a tech startup and does things I don’t understand. He is immediately loved by every single person who meets him because of his kindness, intelligence and sense of humor.
Chris isn’t really the schmoopy type. He hates talking about his feelings and probably hates the way I just described him. But he’s not a talker. He’s a doer. Chris won’t say he’s touched by something you do, he’ll just be sure to show up at an event that’s important to you down the line. Chris won’t reach out and bear hug you, but he’ll sit beside you for however many hours you need him. Chris won’t tell me I’m an amazing singer (even if I beg him), he’ll just research recording equipment for an entire Sunday until he’s certain he’s found the perfect tool for me. He quietly proves his love and support in a million little ways and I would be utterly lost without him.
It’s difficult and emotional to sum up your partner when making a plea for their life. All I can say is that Chris is the best human being I have ever known. In the ten years we’ve been together, we’ve rarely spent any time apart. We don’t want to. We lucked into a love and friendship I could have never imagined would be in the cards for me."
Thank you, everyone for your support and kindness <3
...
If anyone is interested in learning more about donating a kidney, read the following instructions:
To find out if you're a match, first you need to visit this link to the living donor website:
https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/departments-and-services/kidney-transplant-program/living-donor.html?fbclid=IwAR3EM-nxdERnsZx2VaPRsd9HS9p6-WGjdwlnJaacBCuPFiPO7J9kSVdW4kA
In order to start the process, an interested donor just has to click on the blue link that says “Living Donor Medical Assessment and Referral Form.” Once the form is complete, it can be emailed to [email redacted]
For the form, the recipients name should read Chris Mosconi.
One of our donor coordinators will reach out to you once they receive that form.
Here is a direct link to the “Living Donor Medical Assessment and Referral Form” if you can't find it on the site:
https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/content/dam/health/PDFs/departments/Kidney-Transplant/Living-Donor-Kidney-Transplant-Form.pdf
Less than a month later (Dec 2018), he had surgery to remove the cancer. Even though the surgery appeared to be a success, complications ensued almost immediately and led to many more painful procedures. Between the cancer and complications, Chris’ kidney took quite a beating and began to fail.
They began their search for a kidney around March of 2019. It has been a cruel, disappointing process that requires an enormous about of emotional strength. They've found two perfect matches, but both fell through after three months of evaluation, back-to-back.
This November, Chris hit end stage renal failure and by January they began peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home. The transition has been very difficult, as PD requires a lot of physical and emotional stamina. But it's definitely better than the regular visits they were making to the ER as his symptoms worsened. They are still figuring out their new lifestyle, alternating difficult days with slightly less difficult days. What they hope for is a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. While dialysis keeps you alive, what they really need is a kidney.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward restarting the search for a kidney on a larger scale. Facebook and other social medias only get you so far. Whether it means taking out an ad on a billboard, newspaper, or finding something else that will make an impact, they need to get the word out in a way that will reach as many people as possible.
Secondly, many people who have wanted to donate can't afford to take time off of work or don't have the money to travel, so Chris and Abby are trying to save for the ability to fund a donor's needs, should they find one.
Finally, care-taking is much more demanding than Abby ever imagined. Overwhelmed by a full time job, handling all of the household maintenance, the dog and helping manage Chris' health, she has been running on empty for over a year, and needs the relief of some in-home support/the ability to outsource some of her duties.
Here is how Abby describes Chris, for anyone wanting to know more about the man in question:
"Chris Mosconi is 45 years old. He’s a quiet guy, until he has been cut off in traffic and then….well we won’t get into that, as we are trying to appeal to your generous side. Chris is abnormally hilarious. His comedic timing rivals the greats. He is known for his luxurious beard and his fiery passion for Philadelphia sports. There is no doubt in my mind that the Eagles winning the Superbowl was a bigger deal than our wedding. And, honestly, I’m okay with it.
He’s incredibly intelligent, remembering detailed facts about historical events I’ve never even heard of. He’s thoughtful and patient (except in traffic or when the remote stops working). He works really hard. In fact, years ago when he worked as a bike messenger in Boston, he was “doored” by a cab driver, broke both his wrists and had the doctor put his casts on in the position he holds the handlebars so he could go back to work the next day. Today he works for a tech startup and does things I don’t understand. He is immediately loved by every single person who meets him because of his kindness, intelligence and sense of humor.
Chris isn’t really the schmoopy type. He hates talking about his feelings and probably hates the way I just described him. But he’s not a talker. He’s a doer. Chris won’t say he’s touched by something you do, he’ll just be sure to show up at an event that’s important to you down the line. Chris won’t reach out and bear hug you, but he’ll sit beside you for however many hours you need him. Chris won’t tell me I’m an amazing singer (even if I beg him), he’ll just research recording equipment for an entire Sunday until he’s certain he’s found the perfect tool for me. He quietly proves his love and support in a million little ways and I would be utterly lost without him.
It’s difficult and emotional to sum up your partner when making a plea for their life. All I can say is that Chris is the best human being I have ever known. In the ten years we’ve been together, we’ve rarely spent any time apart. We don’t want to. We lucked into a love and friendship I could have never imagined would be in the cards for me."
Thank you, everyone for your support and kindness <3
...
If anyone is interested in learning more about donating a kidney, read the following instructions:
To find out if you're a match, first you need to visit this link to the living donor website:
https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/departments-and-services/kidney-transplant-program/living-donor.html?fbclid=IwAR3EM-nxdERnsZx2VaPRsd9HS9p6-WGjdwlnJaacBCuPFiPO7J9kSVdW4kA
In order to start the process, an interested donor just has to click on the blue link that says “Living Donor Medical Assessment and Referral Form.” Once the form is complete, it can be emailed to [email redacted]
For the form, the recipients name should read Chris Mosconi.
One of our donor coordinators will reach out to you once they receive that form.
Here is a direct link to the “Living Donor Medical Assessment and Referral Form” if you can't find it on the site:
https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/content/dam/health/PDFs/departments/Kidney-Transplant/Living-Donor-Kidney-Transplant-Form.pdf
Organizer
Abby Lee Mosconi
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA