Hi, my name is Mike, and I need a kidney transplant.

A couple of years ago, I lost my job due to the pandemic. It made responsible social distancing impossible, and I am a type 01 diabetic, putting me at high risk for covid factors. I went on unemployment while searching for more work, but I often felt increasingly sick with alarming frequency. Soon I was vomiting multiple times a day.

It was still early in the pandemic, and I didn't know if it was safe to go to a hospital; I was scared, knowing that covid was a potential death sentence for me with my autoimmune deficiencies. I called a doctor's helpline, and the doctor told me that I essentially had to weigh the risks of if catching covid was worth it. It scared me into not getting help when I should. Eventually things became too dire and I had to go to the emergency room. I was told I had CKD: Chronic Kidney Disease, and Hypertension, brought on by my diabetes. Without a treatment I will die.

The past year and a half I've been trying to full time manage my ailments and survive long enough to get a transplant. Thankfully, I have a living donor, and a surgery date set. But I've run out of money a long time ago and been running on fumes. My conditions make me far too fatigued and I have too many medical appointments to reasonably search for work. I cannot even go on disability until after the surgery is already done, the application process itself will take even more time.

This is why I'm asking for help, so I can afford these medical expenses, and take care of myself until I am well enough to work again.

All of this money will go toward paying for the surgery itself, doctor's appointments, transportation to and from the hospital (I will have to go back multiple times after the surgery), affording the many medications and immunosuppresants I'll need, and all associated living expenses.

I'll post updates about the surgery and my recovery, thank you, I love you guys.