Marnie's Super Heroes (Kidney Transplant Fund)

Calling All Fellow Super Heroes! It is time for a TRANSPLANT!

Oliver and Owen are on a fantastic quest to find their Super Mama a Super Kidney Match! United behind them, we are Team Marnie! Will you join us in an epic battle to ensure that she defeats the evil Polycystic Kidney Disease??

We are joining forces to do two things for Marnie and her beautiful, young family. 
One, let's find her a kidney match! (Read on to see how you may be able to help.)
Two, let's raise the Safran/Lesser Family the funds needed to help cover the expenses incurred on their epic journey in pursuit of Happily Ever After!

The unfortunate reality is that even with insurance, finding a super kidney is an expensive endeavor. We want to help Marnie and Scott to focus on what's most important right now: her health and enjoying time together with their kids and one way we can do that is by fundraising for them; a tangible way to show our immense love and support.

Because Marnie's transplant team is currently in Charleston, and Marnie and her family live in Greenville, SC, the cost of traveling the 3 hour commute, lodging and meals away from home quickly add up during the testing, surgery and recovery. These same expenses for her donor and others, like out-of-pocket medical payments, lab testing fees, necessary medication co-pays, child care for their boys, and support when Marnie and Scott need to be away from work all are undue stress during an already stressful time. 

Will you join us and be part of the bold crusade to save our Super Strong Mama? Any sharing of her story and consideration of how you could be a part of it is SO appreciated! 



For those unfamiliar with her diagnosis and how it affects Marnie's life, please read her letter below.

Dear Friends and Family,

Some of you may know that I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease and am approaching Stage 5, which will mean they both have failed. Over time, my kidney disease has gotten worse, preventing my kidneys from working well enough to keep me alive. Facing this now, my treatment options are limited to either dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

Dialysis will help my kidneys do their job and keep me alive, but a transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. As the mother of two young boys (ages 2 and 5), I want to be healthy enough to explore the world with them as they grow up. A transplant would not only be a gift to myself, but a gift to my family and the people that love me. 
 
However, finding a kidney donor is not easy. The average wait time from a deceased donor is at least 3-5 years. While deceased organ donors are greatly appreciated, the reality is that over 100,000 people are waiting for these organs and some will die waiting. The other option is to receive a kidney from a living donor. Asking anyone to consider donating a kidney is honestly very difficult for me, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. And, a living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.

You might not know a lot about living donation – I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. A living donor is usually the best quality kidney.  Living donors do not have to be biologically related to me, but our blood types would need to work well together. Understandably, some people will be apprehensive about the surgery and living with one kidney.  Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:

You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
The recuperation period is usually fairly quick with minimal complications.
The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be mostly covered by my insurance. The donor is not responsible for extra costs.
You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks/benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.
You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or [email redacted]. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NKF can also help.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, you can also contact my transplant center directly at MUSC.

MUSC Contact info:
Website: https://muschealth.org/livingdonor
Living Donor Referral form: https://musc.co/livingdonorform
Phone Number: [phone redacted]

However, I know living donation may not be right for everyone – but you can still help! Help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the waitlist. 

Thank you,
Marnie Safran