My name is Norma Snipes and I have kidney disease. The cure for kidney disease is to find a live donor who would be able to donate their second kidney (turns out you only really need one). My kidney disease was accelerated by my Type 1 diabetes which I have lived with for many years. A few years ago, I retired from over 40 years working at Kellogg Snacks (formerly Austin Quality Foods here in North Carolina). I have 6 sisters and brothers. I am a widow, as my husband died unexpectedly just over four years ago. He was a great help to me both physically and emotionally. My only child, T Shawn, lives in New Jersey with her daughter Sarah, but because of my need to be on dialysis every other day I can't see them as much as I would like.
Dialysis. I have been on dialysis at Duke Hospital/DaVita for more than 6 years and it is hard, expensive, and time consuming but has saved my life. Unfortunately since my daughter has diabetes, she could not donate one of her own kidneys so the search to find a donor has taken many years. I have been called twice from my transplant coordinator offering a cadaver kidney because of someone's unfortunate passing, but for one reason or another the organ ended up going to someone else because I wasn't a perfect fit.
Good news! This summer, I found a match for a live kidney donor. This has been a real blessing as that donor turned out to be one of my amazing sisters. I am honored that my sister is making the courageous commitment to help me end my plight with this devastating disease. But now the HARD part begins, asking for help.
There are many things that my insurance does not cover 100% for this operation such as the anti-rejection drugs I will be on for the rest of my life. What they don’t tell you is that for the first 6 months my co-pay will be just under $4000 per month. That is $24,000 just for that time. The drugs I have to get (generics not allowed) are:
- Prograft
- Cellcept 1
- Prenosone
- Valcyte
Additionally, without Ronnie here with me, I am a one income household and I will not be able to work/pay my mortgage for the 3 months or so it will likely take to recover. I am humbly asking for help securing these funds so I don't drown totally under the pressure of just living post the operation.
Because of the expense of dialysis and not being able to work while on disability I have eaten through a lot of my retirement and savings. I have been able to go back to my old job part time and I enjoy that purpose. BUT, in order for Duke to even SCHEDULE the surgery, I have to have/raise at least the first $25K to cover the treatment. If I don’t have it, I can't go home. We have come too far to make it to this point and have to stop because I can’t afford the medication I need to stop my body from rejecting it.
I can’t do this alone. Your donation will benefit the whole picture - cause, cure, care and support. One of the things I discovered as I have been going through my experience is that I am blessed with an amazing circle of family and friends. I saw this over and over as people came out of the woodwork to offer love and support not just right after my husband died, but in the time since.
Thank you in advance for your generous support, any amount will help, nothing is too small. I will promise you that if you donate over $50 I will personally make you one of my famous sweet potato pies once I get funded and scheduled for surgery!
Dialysis. I have been on dialysis at Duke Hospital/DaVita for more than 6 years and it is hard, expensive, and time consuming but has saved my life. Unfortunately since my daughter has diabetes, she could not donate one of her own kidneys so the search to find a donor has taken many years. I have been called twice from my transplant coordinator offering a cadaver kidney because of someone's unfortunate passing, but for one reason or another the organ ended up going to someone else because I wasn't a perfect fit.
Good news! This summer, I found a match for a live kidney donor. This has been a real blessing as that donor turned out to be one of my amazing sisters. I am honored that my sister is making the courageous commitment to help me end my plight with this devastating disease. But now the HARD part begins, asking for help.
There are many things that my insurance does not cover 100% for this operation such as the anti-rejection drugs I will be on for the rest of my life. What they don’t tell you is that for the first 6 months my co-pay will be just under $4000 per month. That is $24,000 just for that time. The drugs I have to get (generics not allowed) are:
- Prograft
- Cellcept 1
- Prenosone
- Valcyte
Additionally, without Ronnie here with me, I am a one income household and I will not be able to work/pay my mortgage for the 3 months or so it will likely take to recover. I am humbly asking for help securing these funds so I don't drown totally under the pressure of just living post the operation.
Because of the expense of dialysis and not being able to work while on disability I have eaten through a lot of my retirement and savings. I have been able to go back to my old job part time and I enjoy that purpose. BUT, in order for Duke to even SCHEDULE the surgery, I have to have/raise at least the first $25K to cover the treatment. If I don’t have it, I can't go home. We have come too far to make it to this point and have to stop because I can’t afford the medication I need to stop my body from rejecting it.
I can’t do this alone. Your donation will benefit the whole picture - cause, cure, care and support. One of the things I discovered as I have been going through my experience is that I am blessed with an amazing circle of family and friends. I saw this over and over as people came out of the woodwork to offer love and support not just right after my husband died, but in the time since.
Thank you in advance for your generous support, any amount will help, nothing is too small. I will promise you that if you donate over $50 I will personally make you one of my famous sweet potato pies once I get funded and scheduled for surgery!