Support Forrest's Fight for a Kidney Transplant

Help Forrest Ridgeway Get a Life-Saving Kidney Transplant

Hi, my name is Marietta Ridgeway and I’m reaching out for help for my husband, Forrest Ridgeway. Forrest is the love of my life; we’ve been together for 32 years, since high school, and he is my soulmate. We built a life together, raising our three beautiful children, our 3 A’s: Alyssa, Aliya, and Ashlyn. Life has given us incredible joys and heartbreaking losses, but through it all, our love has remained strong.

Forrest’s Fight for His Life

Our world turned upside down in October 2024, when everything hit at once. Forrest had been feeling unwell, but nothing could have prepared us for what was coming. One day, I had to rush him to the emergency room because he was so swollen, barely able to walk.

The doctors saw him immediately, thought he was having a heart attack, and after running tests, they delivered devastating news: he had diabetes, his A1C was dangerously high at 10.6, and his kidneys were functioning at only 8%. We were in complete shock. When they asked about his diabetes history, we looked at each other and said, he doesn’t have diabetes. But they told us, he does now.

Then came the words that still haunt me: If he had waited just one more week, there wouldn’t have been anything we could do. He would have died from kidney failure.

From that moment, everything changed. Forrest was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anemia all at once. He was immediately placed on emergency dialysis and has been going 3 times a week for 4 hours a day ever since. On top of that, his diabetes has affected his vision, and he now needs regular shots in his eyes to prevent further damage.

Our Fight for a Transplant

Forrest is now in the process of getting on the kidney transplant list. His doctors believe he is a strong candidate, and he has worked incredibly hard to improve his health; he has already brought his A1C down from 10.6 to 6 in just a few months! But despite all his progress, the financial burden of this fight has been overwhelming.

Between medical bills, specialist visits, dialysis, travel for transplant appointments, and post-transplant care, healthy food prices, we are struggling to keep up. Insurance doesn’t cover everything, and we need help to give Forrest the best chance at life.

Why This Means So Much to Us

Forrest is an incredible husband and father. Alyssa is the oldest; she is 31 years old, married, and lives in Colorado. Our youngest daughter, Ashlyn, is 15 years old, and she still needs her dad. He has so much more life to live, and we cannot imagine a future without him. We also know that our guardian angel, our daughter Aliya, who we lost when she was just 18 months old, is watching over him.

Recently, while in the hospital for kidney tests, something incredible happened. We were waiting for a transport nurse to take Forrest to get tests done. Other nurses in the room called out, “Oh hey Aliya, they are waiting for you around the corner.” Forrest and I looked at each other, struggling with those words in shock, making sure we both heard the same thing. Then she introduced herself: “Hi, my name is Aliya.” At that moment, I broke down in tears. Aliya is not a common name, and our daughter would have been 20 years old, the same age as this young woman. It felt like a sign, like our little girl was there, reminding her daddy to keep fighting. And that is exactly what we are doing.

How You Can Help

We are asking for help to cover:

Medical expenses not covered by insurance

Travel costs for transplant appointments

Post-transplant medications and recovery care

Everyday expenses while Forrest focuses on his health

If you can donate, no matter how big or small, it would mean the world to us. If you can’t donate, we would be so grateful if you could share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and social networks.

Forrest has always been someone who puts others first. He worked at Dover Downs for 15 years, making connections and friendships that have lasted a lifetime. His strength and resilience inspire everyone who knows him. Now he needs our help.

He is a proud Native American from Delaware; his Native name is Strong Thunder Heart. How fitting for Forrest. But I got to choose their Native American names: Alyssa: Enchanted Jewel, Aliya: Beautiful Butterfly, and Ashlyn: Dancing Rainbow.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We appreciate every donation, share, and kind word of encouragement. Your support brings us hope in this difficult time.

With love and gratitude,

The Ridgeway Family