HELP FIND EMMETT A NEW KIDNEY

March is national Kidney month.  With that being said we need to find Emmett a kidney, and help with the costs associated with transplantation.  The average kidney transplant costs $250,000+.   Even outside of health insurance, the costs associated with the procedure, and post-op anti rejection medications will superseed what most of us would spend on a car.  I know that most people who know Emmett, Esther, and Ari feel blessed to know them.  If you feel blessed, please donate anything, $5, $10, or even $20.  Every little bit helps.

The below message was wrote on behalf of Emmett's wife, Esther.  Please read the entire message.... amazing.


Seven years ago I married my best friend- the most amazing, generous, kind, thoughtful and positive (the list can go on and on) man I've ever met. We have a nine month old daughter, who adores her daddy and vice versa. Emmett is 27 years old and has kidney failure. Dialysis has become part of our daily life. How could it not? Emmett does in center hemodialysis, that means he has to drive to dialysis three times a week for four hour sessions. I'm so thankful for this life saving treatment; but it breaks my heart seeing Emmett suffer daily. Some sessions are good and some sessions are horrible, such as when he experiences pain, migraines (which cause him to throw up repeatedly), weakness, muscle cramps, and on. The bad days steal Arianna’s precious time with her dad. Those are the days that hurt the most. The good days make life feel almost normal. The bad days make life seem like a slow motion roller coaster. Even through the bad days, Emmett always has a smile, positive outlook, cheerful and is an encouragement to others. Throughout this journey, Emmett has had a positive attitude and has truly been an inspiration.


So, how did Emmett end up on dialysis and end stage renal failure? Some may think that at such young age, it was due to alcohol or drugs or something Emmett did to damage his health. It was none of that. Actually, Emmett led a healthy lifestyle-working out daily and focusing on a well-balanced nutritional diet. Here is the story, the best I can remember it....

On February 19, 2012 our lives were changed..... completely. My "perfect" little life was in shambles (to say the least). That day Emmett was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center and had to start emergency dialysis. He spent nine days in the hospital. Those were the hardest nine days of my life and I wasn't the one given a life threatening diagnosis. He was later diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy a form of autoimmune kidney disease. After 9 days of emergency dialysis he was released home and a week later he was back in the hospital; this time in ICU. The next month he was in and out of the hospital as doctors struggled to control his blood pressure and keep him alive through dialysis. Emmett is in need of a kidney transplant. Emmett's dad and brother were tested, but were devastated that they were not suitable donors. Now we must search outside the immediate family. And here we are guiding the most important appeal of our lives – to get the word out and find a suitable donor. The ideal donor will have type O blood (either + or -) and be in good health. It has been two years, and we are still humbly waiting for a lifesaving gift. Emmett has type O blood which is the longest wait time for a deceased donor.

We are so grateful for everyone's concern, love and prayers. Please get the word out and if you would like to be tested to give Emmett Smith the gift of life please call Paige at University of Washington [phone redacted].