In December, I saw a plea from a local church friend on the news. She needed a kidney. I told my husband I would like to help her. He has been totally supportive of my decision to donate. I began the process of paperwork and testing. Once I submitted the paperwork, I was waiting for the blood work to be ordered. I then found out, my friend had found a donor. I still wanted to help. I was then approached by a woman whose husband, Erik, needs a kidney. She asked if I would be willing to pre-screen for her husband. I told her, "Of course!" I then found out he was in California!
So, I began the paperwork and blood work. After the "type and cross match", I found out I was a match! They were surprised that I was such a close match, considering how Erik and I are not related. I recently traveled to UCLA to do an extensive two day medical evaluation and MORE blood work (20 vials to be exact).
I found out yesterday (3/20/20) that I have been approved to be a live kidney donor. My recipient is a young man in California, a father of five kids who needs to be there for his children's graduation, weddings, etc. I want to give him that chance.
The surgery will be performed at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA, and I will be required to stay in Los Angeles a minimum of 11 days before being released to fly home. My recovery is expected to take between 4 to 6 weeks.
Most donor costs are covered with grants, but I need to try and bridge the gap between what is covered, and what is not (lost wages for my husband, for example). The grant usually takes care of all donor costs, but I will be traveling from SC to UCLA to donate so it won't go as far as we hoped. My recipient lives there and goes to the Connie Frank Transplant Center at UCLA for treatment. They pay a certain amount, and after that, we would like to raise money to cover the difference. I would love to raise as much as we can, so the recipient doesn't have to worry about my costs.
We know that now is not the best time to ask for support, but I was just approved yesterday. My recipient has been on dialysis for almost 14 hours a day and his kidneys are failing. We are hoping to schedule surgery as soon as we can, and it depends on whether transplants are going to continue, or be postponed with the COVID19 issue. I am awaiting notification from UCLA as to whether we can get a surgery date.
Any funds left over from my travel and recovery period will be donated to the recipient, as his expenses are going to continue (medications, etc.)
If you wish to donate, remember every dollar helps! If you are unable to donate, we understand. Please take a minute and say a prayer, for me, for Erik and for the transplant doctors and the team. We need to make this happen!
If you have any questions about how YOU can donate, please let me know! There are SO many people who are waiting for donors!
Thank you for taking time to read this! And for your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.
So, I began the paperwork and blood work. After the "type and cross match", I found out I was a match! They were surprised that I was such a close match, considering how Erik and I are not related. I recently traveled to UCLA to do an extensive two day medical evaluation and MORE blood work (20 vials to be exact).
I found out yesterday (3/20/20) that I have been approved to be a live kidney donor. My recipient is a young man in California, a father of five kids who needs to be there for his children's graduation, weddings, etc. I want to give him that chance.
The surgery will be performed at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA, and I will be required to stay in Los Angeles a minimum of 11 days before being released to fly home. My recovery is expected to take between 4 to 6 weeks.
Most donor costs are covered with grants, but I need to try and bridge the gap between what is covered, and what is not (lost wages for my husband, for example). The grant usually takes care of all donor costs, but I will be traveling from SC to UCLA to donate so it won't go as far as we hoped. My recipient lives there and goes to the Connie Frank Transplant Center at UCLA for treatment. They pay a certain amount, and after that, we would like to raise money to cover the difference. I would love to raise as much as we can, so the recipient doesn't have to worry about my costs.
We know that now is not the best time to ask for support, but I was just approved yesterday. My recipient has been on dialysis for almost 14 hours a day and his kidneys are failing. We are hoping to schedule surgery as soon as we can, and it depends on whether transplants are going to continue, or be postponed with the COVID19 issue. I am awaiting notification from UCLA as to whether we can get a surgery date.
Any funds left over from my travel and recovery period will be donated to the recipient, as his expenses are going to continue (medications, etc.)
If you wish to donate, remember every dollar helps! If you are unable to donate, we understand. Please take a minute and say a prayer, for me, for Erik and for the transplant doctors and the team. We need to make this happen!
If you have any questions about how YOU can donate, please let me know! There are SO many people who are waiting for donors!
Thank you for taking time to read this! And for your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.