Dear Friends, Family, and Kindhearted Strangers,

I’m reaching out today with a heavy heart but a hopeful spirit, asking for your support for someone who truly deserves it: our beloved family friend, Tami (Pictured on the left). For those who don’t know her, Tami is a beacon of light in every room she enters, a devoted wife to Joe, a loving mother, and a cherished grandmother. However, Tami’s bright light is now facing a challenging and precarious situation, and she needs our help more than ever.

In January 2020, Tami received devastating news—her kidneys were failing, and she was told she had only 5-7 years to live if she didn’t start dialysis immediately. Since then, she has been courageously battling this relentless condition with the hope that a kidney transplant could be her lifeline. Despite her incredible strength and resilience, the medical hurdles have been relentless. Her journey has been anything but easy.

Over the past four years, Tami has not only struggled with kidney failure but has also faced a series of severe health complications. She has developed anemia, requiring frequent blood transfusions that complicate her chances of receiving a transplant. She has battled a pulmonary embolism for two years, requiring blood thinners that put her at greater risk due to her anemia. Additionally, she has suffered from a diverticulitis, which required her to use a colostomy bag for 3 years and required surgery to put the bag in and take it out, and this added another layer of pain and difficulty to her already challenging life. Each of these conditions has compounded her medical debt and placed an immense financial burden on her and her husband, Joe.

Now, as we enter 2024, Tami is nearing the end of her kidney's functional capacity. The urgent need for a preparatory surgery is imminent, and this procedure is crucial for her to be eligible for a kidney transplant once one becomes available. The cost of this life-saving surgery is approximately $15,000, a figure that feels staggering when added to their already overwhelming medical debt. But this surgery is just the beginning. After it, Tami will hopefully be on the list for a kidney transplant, a procedure that could save her life and give her the chance to be with her loved ones for years to come.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 to cover the cost of this upcoming surgery and provide some relief to Tami and Joe. Every dollar raised will help alleviate the crushing weight of medical bills, allowing Tami to focus on her health and her hope for a future with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Your support, no matter the size, will make an immense difference. It will not only help cover critical medical expenses but also provide Tami and Joe with a glimmer of hope and the strength to keep fighting. Please, if you are able, consider donating to this cause and sharing Tami’s story. Your generosity could be the key to extending her time with the people she loves most.

Thank you for taking the time to read Tami’s story and for your unwavering support. Together, we can help Tami continue to shine her light and give her the chance to cherish precious moments with her family.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Joshua Proch