Help Ludwik's Fight for a Third Transplant

I am setting up this GoFundMe on behalf of my amazing dad, Ludwik. He is currently undergoing dialysis and is being placed on a waitlist to receive a kidney transplant. My family will be facing a lot of unexpected medical expenses as well as monthly bills to survive while my dad will be unable to work and support himself and my mom.

This will be my dad's 3rd time needing a transplant. In 2004, my dad first got the news of his failed kidneys. It was devastating, but we had so much hope given he was younger, stronger, and the wait for the transplant was much faster. He began dialysis treatment right away and was undergoing the treatment 3-4 times a week. Within a year and a half, my dad got news of a transplant being available, and the relief we felt cannot be put into words. However, within just one year, this transplant failed. We found out later that this was due to the lack of thorough analysis and proper investigation of the organ he was receiving. We do not blame anyone specifically, but the medical system, in a sense, failed us terribly. It had turned out that he received a partially damaged organ, and the kidney developed a viral infection and ultimately gave out. We were devastated; not only would we have to endure this again, but my dad was now facing another long road of not knowing when he would be getting another kidney. He was back on the list and back to the same treatment 3-4 times a week.

The 2nd time around, it really ended up taking a toll on my dad, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. I watched my dad go through some of the darkest days and moments when before, my dad was everything light and everything wonderful. He is the strongest, bravest, most kind person, and loving dad anyone could ask for. He could make you laugh harder than anyone, he becomes a friend to a stranger within minutes, and will always be there for you when you need him. He is my best friend, and he is our pillar of strength. My dad's courage and steadfast will to live is ultimately what got him through the 2nd round. It was the many prayers and support of all our loved ones and his many friends that came together and gave us the faith to push through and hang on, even when we felt hopeless. Within 2 in a half years, my dad got the call that he had a donor. We were so elated; it truly felt like the happiest day of our lives, and it meant we were going to get my dad back!

Afterwards, for over 16 years, we were back to normal and living in relief and peace. My dad was working as he always had for many years prior, and everything in life became normal, until now. We just received news this month that my dad will need to go back on dialysis and that his current transplant is giving out. He is now officially registered on the waitlist to receive another transplant. This time, my dad is much older, weaker, and his mental strength is wavering. There was a time when my dad once told me that he did it all for us; he said that we were his reason and his will to get through the dark days, we were why he kept pushing to survive. I don’t see my dad cry often, but I watched my dad break down when we received the news. I knew then that this time around could possibly end my dad’s life, not even because of how long he may need to wait for the transplant, but because I can see it in him that he is not the same strong man he was before. Sadly, doctors do not know how long this might take; they are estimating and hoping he may receive a donor within 2-3 years. However, again due to his age, this may be the longest my dad would have to wait, and it is with uncertainty.

During this time period, he will be on dialysis again and unable to work. My dad is still not technically retired; he is not receiving any kind of benefits aside from his regular health insurance, which only helps maintain just some of the cost of his medical bills. My mom is now having to pick up the weight and is working as much as she can, but she is also older and cannot pull the weight of everything by herself. I am doing everything I can to support my parents as I am currently living in New York right now and sadly am also not in a financial position to provide them with everything they will now need. I am hopeful that by setting up this campaign for my dad, we can at least get some assistance for his medical costs and basic needs for survival while we await a transplant. Our goal is to raise approximately $35,000. We came to this amount based on the monthly bills/expenses my parents have, such as their mortgage, insurance for both my mom and dad, and then his medical bills. The funds from this campaign/fundraiser will be used to cover their expenses for the 2-3 years it may take to find a donor. I have never set up a GoFundMe prior to this. Before, we have always been the kind of family that survived and tried to get through it together, and we thought we wouldn’t need to ask for any help. However, we now know that we are in real need of as much help as we can get. Setting this up is the least I can do for my parents. They have done so much for me; they are truly selfless human beings. They would and will sacrifice everything for me. I am incredibly lucky to be their daughter, and I will do my best to fight for my dad to survive!

Any amount of donation would really help my parents. Even if you are unable to donate, then please spread the word to anyone and everyone you know. It would mean the world to my family. I would also like to just say thank you, thank you so much to all who took the time to simply read our story, because just doing that is an act of kindness towards my dad.