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My name is Erica Simmons. I am 49 years old and diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). I started having heart complications 15 years ago that eventually caused ESRD about a year ago. As a result of ESRD, I attend dialysis three to four times a week for about three hours each time. Due to my heart and kidney failure, I am now in desperate need of a double organ transplant.
I was recently informed that the antibodies in my blood, which are used to match a donor, is 98% sensitive to any of the organs that are available to me in my region, which means my body would reject the organ as a foreign object. As you can imagine this makes matching an organ donor extremely difficult. However, Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles is currently working on an intervention that will lower my sensitivity and allow me to become a viable candidate for a double organ transplant. I am hopeful they will take my case.
If accepted, my husband and I would have to commit to relocating to California for at least 12 months. I have two children along with two granddaughters ages 11 and 4. There is a legacy of heart issues within my family. My father died at the age of 42 from a heart attack. My mother died at the age of 54, also from heart complications. I want to put up a fight and stop that legacy in its tracks.
Due to my illness I was forced to leave my job of 22 years from PNC as a Compliance Analyst. My quality of life has dramatically changed and am now unable to do tasks that most would take for granted (such as basic housework) along with being very limited to participating in activities with my grandchildren. I'm asking for help because I would be financially responsible (to pay co-pays and deductibles, other medical expenses, travel and lodging fees, and expensive lifelong anti-rejection drugs). Thank you in advance for your love and prayers. Any amount donated would be appreciated.
I was recently informed that the antibodies in my blood, which are used to match a donor, is 98% sensitive to any of the organs that are available to me in my region, which means my body would reject the organ as a foreign object. As you can imagine this makes matching an organ donor extremely difficult. However, Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles is currently working on an intervention that will lower my sensitivity and allow me to become a viable candidate for a double organ transplant. I am hopeful they will take my case.
If accepted, my husband and I would have to commit to relocating to California for at least 12 months. I have two children along with two granddaughters ages 11 and 4. There is a legacy of heart issues within my family. My father died at the age of 42 from a heart attack. My mother died at the age of 54, also from heart complications. I want to put up a fight and stop that legacy in its tracks.
Due to my illness I was forced to leave my job of 22 years from PNC as a Compliance Analyst. My quality of life has dramatically changed and am now unable to do tasks that most would take for granted (such as basic housework) along with being very limited to participating in activities with my grandchildren. I'm asking for help because I would be financially responsible (to pay co-pays and deductibles, other medical expenses, travel and lodging fees, and expensive lifelong anti-rejection drugs). Thank you in advance for your love and prayers. Any amount donated would be appreciated.