Help Pons Anthony Achieve His Kidney Transplant Dream

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

I am reaching out to you with my heartfelt request for support on behalf of my dear cousin Pons Anthony Rojales Mortera for his kidney transplant which he has been waiting for 20 years. Pons was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 20 years ago (September 2004) when he was still 17 years old. His kidneys failed due to his unmonitored high blood pressure caused by his continued use of asthma medications.

Since his diagnosis, he has been undergoing hemodialysis three times a week which costs him and his family overwhelming expenses throughout the years. His family has to make sure that he takes his treatment regularly without skipping to prevent further complications. Due to this long-term treatment and the side effects of hemodialysis, Pons’ body is slowly weakening.

Who is Pons Anthony?

Pons is now 37 years old. He is known for his generosity and thoughtfulness toward his family and friends, and his incredible resilience in dealing with his illness. He serves in the church by being a part of their music ministry as a drummer. He is a self-taught drummer and finds comfort in music. Before his CKD diagnosis when he was just starting his post-secondary education, he was active in playing basketball. However, he is no longer allowed to play due to his hemodialysis, which is his lifeline.

Even though Pons did not have the chance to complete his IT degree, he strived to live a normal life by trying to earn a living to sustain his hemodialysis treatments. He thrived to work for 10 years in 4 different companies that accepted him and his disability until the pandemic happened when we almost lost him due to contracting all four COVID-19 variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron), and made his lungs weak. This was his most difficult experience as a CKD patient, yet we are truly grateful that my cousin survived this ordeal.

Pons is truly a giver and values quality time with his loved ones. He shows his love through acts of service. Despite his disability and the uncertainty of the future, people are often surprised by how long he has been undergoing hemodialysis and notice how vibrant he is in dealing with life’s different battles.

Further History of Pons’ CKD:

Pons’ first five years were a battlefield. He had a difficult time adjusting to all his maintenance medications, lifestyle, certain activity restrictions, and most especially, his strict food and fluid intake. He suffered from depression and anxiety, not being able to go back to school to continue with his IT education, and to live a normal teenage life. He has been unable to urinate for the past 20 years and relies on hemodialysis to remove the toxins from his system.

It was devastating for our family to know that we almost lost Pons three times due to experiencing comatose in 2005, 2007, and 2009. The reasons for his comatose were all related to his uncontrolled high blood pressure and electrolyte imbalance. He miraculously survived all three of them.

In 2018, Pons was devastated when he lost his precious mother in a cardiac arrest. Pons is left with his elderly father, older sister, and older brother. His father spent most of his retirement money on Pons’ medical bills, while Pons continued to struggle to fend for himself.

Why He Waited 20 Years For A Transplant?

Pons often describes how difficult it is to remain optimistic that one day he will be able to have a kidney transplant and live a normal life, have a stable job, and have a family of his own. He often battles with thinking whether to just be contented with going to dialysis three times a week for the rest of his life or finally undergoing a kidney transplant.

Earlier this year, he finally mustered up the courage to ask me and my family for help to make his dream of finally undergoing a kidney transplant come to reality. While most of us have bigger dreams, my cousin hopes to live a normal life where he does not have to go through four hours of hemodialysis thrice a week, which occupies most of his time and is the reason for not being able to have a stable and full-time job.

However, the cost of a kidney transplant, the painstaking process of looking for a compatible donor, along with the ongoing medical expenses and necessary post-transplant care will be overwhelming, considering the inflation of everything.

Here is a breakdown of what the funds will be used for:

1. Kidney Transplant Surgery

2. Pre-Surgical Tests and Medications: Hemodialysis, Compatibility tests, Labwork, Medications

3. Post-Surgical Tests, Monitoring, and Medications: Anti-rejection Medications, Continuous Labwork, and Frequent Doctor Visits

4. Living Expenses After Surgery (Pons will not have any income after his surgery due to the long recovery period)

5. Rehabilitation

Your generosity will truly help Pons to remain determined and hopeful that his kidney transplant dream is going to happen and to finally live a life free of hemodialysis. If you are unable to donate, kindly consider sharing this campaign with your family and friends to spread the word. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference!

We thank you in advance!

If you are in the Philippines and you would like to send it on a local bank, here’s Pons’ details:

Pons Anthony R. Mortera

4733473718570

Metrobank