Jeanine Stewart is a gentle, caring woman whose strength and devotion to her family have carried her through some of the toughest challenges. For months, Jeanine has quietly endured painful dialysis treatments at home, which have confined her to her house and drastically affected her quality of life. Her kidneys have stopped functioning due to her Rheumatoid Arthritis and the daily struggle has taken so much from her. Now, she faces a life-changing opportunity: a kidney transplant at UAB in Birmingham, with her devoted son Tanner Tolbert selflessly donating his kidney through a unique kidney exchange program. There will be four surgeries occurring at the same time to complete this exchange process.

The road to recovery will be long and demanding. Both Jeanine and Tanner will spend about five days in the hospital, and while Tanner will return home after a short recovery in Birmingham, Jeanine must remain in the city for a full month before she can continue her healing at home. After the full month in Birmingham, she will need to travel back and forth for regular follow-up appointments for another two months, making lodging and out-of-town food expenses a significant burden. The fundraiser will help cover these costs, as well as her portion of Tanner’s medical and lodging bills, ensuring they can focus on healing without the added stress of financial strain.

This transplant means everything to Jeanine and her family, especially with the arrival of her new grandchild in November. She is looking forward to being present in her grandson’s life and cherishing the moments that have been so difficult to enjoy during her illness. Your support will help Jeanine and Tanner through this critical time, giving them hope and the chance to embrace a brighter future together.