Lance's Living Kidney Donation
Donation protected
I am starting this fundraiser for a man I consider a true friend, Lance Allen. Lance is married to my paralegal Melissa Allen. Lance and Melissa have six children combined. The two youngest beautiful girls, ages 9 and 7, love to visit our office. Over the last several years I have had the pleasure of getting to know Lance and Melissa’s family. Lance is the type of person that is the first to lend a hand to anyone for anything.
However, this time Lance is not just lending a hand to a friend in need but is selfishly donating a kidney at a lot of his own expense, both financially and physically.
A little background: Lance is in electronic health records sales and met Michael Alfieri, a sales rep as well, while attending an employee conference.
A few months into their friendship, Lance learned Michael was dying of kidney failure. Since Michael did not have a direct donor match or someone in his family who was eligible to donate, he would have to be placed on a long wait list. Michael’s kidneys were basically non-functioning and the doctors literally could not understand medically why he was still able to move around.
To ensure Michael a kidney in time to save his life, Lance volunteered to donate one of his kidneys - NOT TO MICHAEL - but to a pure stranger so that Michael would be moved up on a list and immediately receive a kidney.
Lance contacted the Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, close to where Michael lives and the location of his treatment. Subsequently, after completing paperwork, Lance flew out to Mayo for in-depth testing to determine if he was compatible and healthy enough to donate a kidney. Lance also underwent psychological evaluations. The staff at Mayo essentially tried to talk him out of the donation to determine just how committed he was to his decision. Lance wasn’t found to be a direct match for Michael and was given the option to be a Paired Kidney Donor. Essentially, if Lance donated a living kidney on Michael’s behalf, Michael would automatically receive a living kidney from another Paired Donor. Lance readily agreed to be a Paired Donor.
Mayo approved Lance as a donor and surgery has been scheduled for September 11, 2018.
Melissa shared with me that Lance’s mother passed away from breast cancer when he was only 22 years old and that his oldest sister passed away shortly after from complications of the flu. Lance felt helpless at that time in his life. Even though Michael’s need for a kidney is not the same circumstance, Lance feels that in this case he is able to save the life of someone he loves.
I started this fundraiser to help Lance and Melissa without having the added financial stress. All medical expenses are covered by Michael’s insurance, but travel for Lance and Melissa to Jacksonville, hotel for ten days, rental car, etc. as well as time off work are at Lance’s expense. The Allen’s fully anticipated taking on the financial burden on their own and have never once complained or asked for financial help. I decided that if Lance was willing to donate a kidney I would be willing to start of GoFundMe Page and donate and ask others for assistance as well.
At the beginning of the donation process, Lance incurred approximately $3,000 in expenses (airline, lodging, transportation, wage loss) to attend a week-long testing/evaluation at Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida. In less than three weeks, Lance will incur much more. I believe there are many of you who may feel compelled to help lessen the financial burden for Lance as he proceeds with this incredible, selfless act. It is my understanding by law, organ donors cannot financially benefit from donating. If we are able to raise money in excess of Lance’s actual expenses, any residual will be donated to Michael Alfieri’s expenses and/or The National Kidney Foundation. Lance’s transplant coordinator at Jacksonville Mayo Clinic is Christine Schneider if anyone wishes to verify the facts or has questions about the Shared Donor Program. Phone: [phone redacted].
The Allens ask for your prayers for all the families involved in the upcoming surgery.
Thank you for your consideration.
Grant G. Alvine
However, this time Lance is not just lending a hand to a friend in need but is selfishly donating a kidney at a lot of his own expense, both financially and physically.
A little background: Lance is in electronic health records sales and met Michael Alfieri, a sales rep as well, while attending an employee conference.
A few months into their friendship, Lance learned Michael was dying of kidney failure. Since Michael did not have a direct donor match or someone in his family who was eligible to donate, he would have to be placed on a long wait list. Michael’s kidneys were basically non-functioning and the doctors literally could not understand medically why he was still able to move around.
To ensure Michael a kidney in time to save his life, Lance volunteered to donate one of his kidneys - NOT TO MICHAEL - but to a pure stranger so that Michael would be moved up on a list and immediately receive a kidney.
Lance contacted the Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, close to where Michael lives and the location of his treatment. Subsequently, after completing paperwork, Lance flew out to Mayo for in-depth testing to determine if he was compatible and healthy enough to donate a kidney. Lance also underwent psychological evaluations. The staff at Mayo essentially tried to talk him out of the donation to determine just how committed he was to his decision. Lance wasn’t found to be a direct match for Michael and was given the option to be a Paired Kidney Donor. Essentially, if Lance donated a living kidney on Michael’s behalf, Michael would automatically receive a living kidney from another Paired Donor. Lance readily agreed to be a Paired Donor.
Mayo approved Lance as a donor and surgery has been scheduled for September 11, 2018.
Melissa shared with me that Lance’s mother passed away from breast cancer when he was only 22 years old and that his oldest sister passed away shortly after from complications of the flu. Lance felt helpless at that time in his life. Even though Michael’s need for a kidney is not the same circumstance, Lance feels that in this case he is able to save the life of someone he loves.
I started this fundraiser to help Lance and Melissa without having the added financial stress. All medical expenses are covered by Michael’s insurance, but travel for Lance and Melissa to Jacksonville, hotel for ten days, rental car, etc. as well as time off work are at Lance’s expense. The Allen’s fully anticipated taking on the financial burden on their own and have never once complained or asked for financial help. I decided that if Lance was willing to donate a kidney I would be willing to start of GoFundMe Page and donate and ask others for assistance as well.
At the beginning of the donation process, Lance incurred approximately $3,000 in expenses (airline, lodging, transportation, wage loss) to attend a week-long testing/evaluation at Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida. In less than three weeks, Lance will incur much more. I believe there are many of you who may feel compelled to help lessen the financial burden for Lance as he proceeds with this incredible, selfless act. It is my understanding by law, organ donors cannot financially benefit from donating. If we are able to raise money in excess of Lance’s actual expenses, any residual will be donated to Michael Alfieri’s expenses and/or The National Kidney Foundation. Lance’s transplant coordinator at Jacksonville Mayo Clinic is Christine Schneider if anyone wishes to verify the facts or has questions about the Shared Donor Program. Phone: [phone redacted].
The Allens ask for your prayers for all the families involved in the upcoming surgery.
Thank you for your consideration.
Grant G. Alvine
Organizer and beneficiary
Grant Alvine
Organizer
Sioux Falls, SD
Melissa Broek Allen
Beneficiary
