Cindy has been a dear friend of mine for over 30 years. In that time, I have seen her face some difficult challenges, but recently she has had to go through more hardship than most people will ever face.

Cindy has spent much of her life fighting battles most of us can hardly imagine. Diagnosed with kidney failure 27 years ago, she has spent decades in and out of dialysis. Over the years, she’s been blessed with two kidney transplants — both of which gave her precious time and hope. Unfortunately, her most recent transplanted kidney has failed, and now she is once again in need of another transplant to survive.

While undergoing the routine medical workup to be relisted on the kidney transplant list, doctors made a surprising and urgent discovery: her mitral heart valve had become dangerously calcified, a complication caused by her long-term dialysis. The only option to move forward and remain eligible for a kidney transplant was to undergo open heart surgery to replace the valve with a mechanical one.

In the face of this life-threatening setback, Cindy chose to move forward with the surgery — not just for herself, but for her daughter. Having recently lost her husband this past December, Cindy is now her only daughter’s surviving parent. She knew she had to do everything in her power to stay here and stay strong for her.

The surgery was a success, but the road to recovery is long. Cindy will need 3–6 months to heal before she can even think about being active again or relisted for a transplant. She is unable to work and lives on Social Security Disability, which doesn't begin to cover the mounting expenses from this unexpected heart surgery, ongoing dialysis, medications, and recovery needs.

In addition to hospital bills and home care equipment, her daughter has taken on the burden of daily parking fees and travel costs just to be by her side at the hospital, which she has done every single day since Cindy was admitted.

We’re raising funds to help ease the financial strain Cindy and her daughter are under during this incredibly difficult time.

Donations will go toward:

• Medical bills from her open heart surgery

• Equipment and supplies needed during recovery at home

• Ongoing dialysis treatments and future transplant evaluation

• Basic living costs while Cindy recovers and cannot work

Cindy has shown strength and resilience that inspire everyone who knows her. Her determination to heal, get listed again, and hopefully receive a third kidney transplant is nothing short of heroic.

If you’re able to help in any way — whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign — it would mean the world to Cindy and her daughter. Every little bit truly makes a difference.

Thank you for your compassion, prayers, and support.