Kidney failure eminent, We Found a Match
Donation protected
Our Story starts about 5 years ago when we first found out my Uncle Marion was suffering from undiagnosed Type II Diabetes. As most men are prone to ignoring symptoms of sickness, the same was true of my uncle but the signs were too apparent for our aunt, a travelling nurse with roots in Bergen County, NJ. She started him on a path to physical and spiritual health which led to extreme dietary change, weigh-loss and the eventual stabilization of his Diabetes. Our collective efforts as a family covered most medical expenses, as he did not have medical coverage during these times. To this day, he has very limited medical coverage due to unemployment and being a disabled person.
Fast forward to the last 12 months and we find ourselves here. We were delivered an unbelievable blow after what we believed to be a routine check-up - my Uncle's kidneys were beginning to fail. The last 8 last months proved to be a true test of his will and strength as he kicked his physical health goals into overdrive. With COVID-19 having a world wide crippling effect on medical institutions - routine check-ups and his stringent medical plan nearly slowed to a stop. This sequence of events has proven to be devastating to his progress. We continued in our efforts , working with the doctors to find a suitable donor and match for my uncle who also has a rare blood type. We came very close to finding a match on more than one occasion, but through my uncle's selflessness, and experience in the hospital meeting other ill patients, he offered to let those kidneys go to someone who needed it more than he did. Keep in mind, he was still in a state of kidney failure, albeit stable as he were. As his condition worsened we looked inward to our own family as a safety net, and to find out if any of us would actually be a suitable donor for my Uncle. Miraculously, my Sister Ikea Damone, a 28yr old new mommy of 1 infant son, college track star, and aspiring singer, was an exact match.
On Sunday September 20th, he was admitted to Holy Name Hospital in NJ with extreme respiratory difficulty and what appeared to be pneumonia in both lungs. He was feverish, weak, and could only gasp for air when he tried to speak, he was in great pain. We feared the worst as he was tested for COVID-19, the treatment for which would certainly prove fatal considering the condition of his kidneys. After comprehensive testing, he proved to be COVID-19 negative, which was a relief. In this same moment however, our worst fears were realized. My Uncle's kidneys are in a complete state of failure and as of Tuesday September 22nd he is undergoing emergency Dialysis until he can stabilize for a kidney Transplant. My sister will be travelling up to New York, from her home in Maryland. She will be housed near the medical center for the required two medical observation and evaluation period prior to the surgical procedure. Ikea will then require an additional 4 months of housing near the medical center after the completion of the kidney transplant, for further monitoring before returning home.
Our GoFundMe goal is requested to help with the upcoming medical and recovery costs associated with the double surgery of my Sister and Uncle. We have exhausted most options, we've sold homes and consolidated our lives into apartments to free up the money needed to cover ongoing medical expenses. However despite those changes, it's still not enough. We desperately need the help of those generous and compassionate enough to offer it. We realize that in the unfortunate state of our economy, many of us are in the same relatable financial situation, but anything helps at this point.
Thank you for taking the time out to read our story and thank you for your contribution even if it's a prayer, god bless.
Fast forward to the last 12 months and we find ourselves here. We were delivered an unbelievable blow after what we believed to be a routine check-up - my Uncle's kidneys were beginning to fail. The last 8 last months proved to be a true test of his will and strength as he kicked his physical health goals into overdrive. With COVID-19 having a world wide crippling effect on medical institutions - routine check-ups and his stringent medical plan nearly slowed to a stop. This sequence of events has proven to be devastating to his progress. We continued in our efforts , working with the doctors to find a suitable donor and match for my uncle who also has a rare blood type. We came very close to finding a match on more than one occasion, but through my uncle's selflessness, and experience in the hospital meeting other ill patients, he offered to let those kidneys go to someone who needed it more than he did. Keep in mind, he was still in a state of kidney failure, albeit stable as he were. As his condition worsened we looked inward to our own family as a safety net, and to find out if any of us would actually be a suitable donor for my Uncle. Miraculously, my Sister Ikea Damone, a 28yr old new mommy of 1 infant son, college track star, and aspiring singer, was an exact match.
On Sunday September 20th, he was admitted to Holy Name Hospital in NJ with extreme respiratory difficulty and what appeared to be pneumonia in both lungs. He was feverish, weak, and could only gasp for air when he tried to speak, he was in great pain. We feared the worst as he was tested for COVID-19, the treatment for which would certainly prove fatal considering the condition of his kidneys. After comprehensive testing, he proved to be COVID-19 negative, which was a relief. In this same moment however, our worst fears were realized. My Uncle's kidneys are in a complete state of failure and as of Tuesday September 22nd he is undergoing emergency Dialysis until he can stabilize for a kidney Transplant. My sister will be travelling up to New York, from her home in Maryland. She will be housed near the medical center for the required two medical observation and evaluation period prior to the surgical procedure. Ikea will then require an additional 4 months of housing near the medical center after the completion of the kidney transplant, for further monitoring before returning home.
Our GoFundMe goal is requested to help with the upcoming medical and recovery costs associated with the double surgery of my Sister and Uncle. We have exhausted most options, we've sold homes and consolidated our lives into apartments to free up the money needed to cover ongoing medical expenses. However despite those changes, it's still not enough. We desperately need the help of those generous and compassionate enough to offer it. We realize that in the unfortunate state of our economy, many of us are in the same relatable financial situation, but anything helps at this point.
Thank you for taking the time out to read our story and thank you for your contribution even if it's a prayer, god bless.
Organizer
Adonis Long
Organizer
White Plains, NY