Maricel's Medical Relief Fund

Our dear friend, Maricel Reyes, has just gone through a much needed kidney transplant, as she suffers from end stage chronic kidney disease. Her kidney was severely impaired that she had to endure 3-hour dialysis sessions 3 times a week going for over 2 years, while waiting for a donor match. This has impacted her ability to work and her way of life.

 

Receiving the call, finally, for a match earlier in the week, Maricel faced new fears which dampened her excitement of getting a new lease in life. Will the kidney be a true match? What if the surgery goes south? What if my body rejects it? What happens next?

 

Her doctor persisted and convinced Maricel that this is the only way to go. The tests proved a positive match and the transplant was done that same evening. Surgery was successful and she is now recuperating at the NYU Hospital Kimmel Pavilion.

 

How long she will be in the hospital depends on how quickly her body heals from the surgery. When she returns home, she will face a long recovery ahead with more doctor/hospital visits and dialysis until the kidney functions on its own. Doctors usually suggest transplant recipients wait at least a year to go back to work, because it could take a year or more for the immune system to recover.

 

Maricel is a loving, sincere, loyal and gentle soul, who has dedicated her life to the service of others, both professionally and personally. She is generous, humble, and just about the sweetest person you will ever meet. She is our friend and our sister. We love her and are happy that she received the transplant and want to help her and her devoted husband, Matt, through this process.

 

We all know that medical insurance covers only so much. Not being able to work when she started on dialysis 2 years ago through to recovery from the transplant, Maricel and Matt's financial burdens have increased. She will have continued doctor and hospital visits, regular dialysis sessions, immunosuppressants (anti-rejection) and other medications, transportation expenses (not allowed to take public transport), and other related expenses.

 

The friends of Maricel have set up this Medical Relief Fund to help cover her medical bills and living expenses. Thank you for reading and please feel free to share this with your network. Every little bit will go a long way. God bless you all and God bless Maricel.