We are fundraising for Corey Jordan and his family. Corey has been battling kidney failure. We are hoping to raise money for household bills and such while Corey is unable to work. He currently works a minimal number of hours because his kidney failure limits what he can do. Please read the following and consider donating or even possibly becoming a living donor!

Dear Friends and Family,

This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to write. I have been private about an illness that I am currently battling. Some of you may know that I have kidney disease. Over the past year, my kidney disease has gotten worse, causing my kidney function to drop to 13%. This is what I am facing now, and my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant.

I will be beginning dialysis soon, but this option is not what my doctors want. The dialysis will help keep me functioning on a daily basis, but unfortunately not a permanent solution. A transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. A transplant would give me the time I am hoping to still have with my family and friends.

Finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. There are 100,000+ people on the waiting list for a deceased kidney donor like me. Time is not on our side. Some wait for years; many die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor. I do have another option, receiving a kidney from a living donor.

Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.

Many people do not know a lot about living donation - I know I did not before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. Here is some basic information about kidney donation:

• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.

• Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.

• The recuperation period is usually quick, generally two weeks.

• The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this.

• You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.

You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation.

I appreciate you taking the time to hear my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center directly at www.henryfordlivingdonor.org

However, I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Consider being an organ donor after death, and help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least, I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am grateful for the support my family and friends have shown me throughout this. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the waitlist.

Thank you,

The Jordan Family