Michele Needs a Living Kidney Donor
“I’m only 55 years old and my kidney disease scares me every day. I just want to live my best life I can with the family I
have left. I really want to live.”
Michele’s Story
Michele is a devoted mother, partner, and grandmother who first learned about her worsening kidney disease in 2015 during bowel surgery when doctors discovered a dime-sized cancerous spot on her left kidney. Subsequent blood tests revealed concerns about her kidney levels, with the right kidney barely functioning. Despite initial removal of the cancer without further treatment, her left kidney’s function decreased to 25 percent. Over two years, Michele consulted with a kidney specialist and learned her kidney function had declined further to 18 percent.
Michele initially contemplated letting nature take its course, however, during a consultation with the transplant team, a member’s words resonated with her. In September 2023, she decided to pursue living donor transplant, completing all required testing within three months.
We Need to Find a Living Donor
Despite being active on the kidney transplant list, Michele experiences fatigue, pain, and anxiety. While working full-time, she fears not living long enough to receive a lifesaving transplant. Waiting 3-5 years for a kidney from a deceased donor is not the best path forward for Michele. The only family members left for Michele, her daughters, granddaughter, and partner, are not qualified to donate to her. Therefore, we are appealing to others for help. We know her courageous living donor is out there, we just have to find that person.
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Michele is extremely lucky to have secured highly qualified medical help and support from the team at the University of Utah Health (UUH). She wants any interested persons to know that they will be in exceptional hands should they decide to step forward. UUH has shared the following as a pre-qualification list for donation:
Must be between the age of 18-69 years old.
Must be healthy and free of major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity (BMI of 37 or less).
Must be mentally and emotionally healthy.
You Can Help Save Michele's Life!
Interested In Donating?
Complete the short contact form and a GiftWorks' Living Donor Navigator will respond within 1 day to guide you through the next steps in the process.
Have Questions About Donating?
Having questions is normal! Complete the short contact form to set up a time to speak with a GiftWorks' Living Donor Navigator; a guide who knows what it's like to donate a kidney because they've donated in the past.
Want To Help In Other Ways?
You can help by sharing Michele's page today! Also, be sure to share Michele's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of her story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Michele find her lifesaving donor.
Process for Stepping Forward for Michele
Fill out the short contact form and a GiftWorks’ Living Donor Navigator will reach out to you within 1 business day to set up a time to connect.
During your time with a GiftWorks’ Living Donor Navigator, you will get to ask questions and receive answers from a living kidney donor. They will tell you more about the process, address non-medical concerns, and connect you to valuable resources.
Breeze is a health questionnaire that will be reviewed by the hospital’s medical team to determine your eligibility for living donation as well as the next steps.
Share To Help
I Still Need to Find a Living Kidney Donor! Please Help!
Many of you know that I have been actively searching for a living kidney donor. Over the past six months, my search has become more urgent, yet I haven’t received the news that a donor has been found just yet. If you’ve already stepped forward, I want to express my deepest gratitude. While I may not personally know everyone who has taken this courageous step for me, please know how profoundly thankful I am, and how much I admire your bravery.
If you’re still considering becoming my donor or feel ready to take the next step and get tested, I warmly encourage you to do so. The simplest way to begin is by filling out the contact form on my website, which I’ve linked in the comments below. Thank you for your kindness and support. It means more than you know!
Please SHARE to Help My Mom, Michele, Find a Living Kidney Donor!
I’m doing all I can to support my mother, Michele, who desperately needs a kidney. With over 100,000 people on the waitlist for a deceased donor and a 5+ year wait, the outlook is not promising. As my mom waits for a kidney donation, she becomes more ill, and that is very scary for our family. I wish I could donate myself, but I’m not eligible; it’s heartbreaking. That’s why I’m committed to sharing my mom’s story as much as I can. I know her special living kidney donor is out there. We just have to find that person. You can help today by sharing this message! www.giftworksuuh.com/micheleo
Please Share to Help Me Find a Living Kidney Donor!
Please SHARE! In 2015, I discovered the seriousness of my kidney disease. Now, my kidneys are failing, and I urgently need to find a living kidney donor to save my life. This request is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, as it demands a deep level of vulnerability. Yet, the urgency of my condition compels me to reach out again. My kidney disease is advancing, and I face constant health challenges. Each day without a transplant brings new difficulties. While I’m on the waitlist for a deceased donor kidney, with over 100,000 others also waiting, it could be more than five years before I receive one. Time is not on my side.
If you’re reading this, please consider sharing my post. Your help in spreading the word could make a life-changing difference. If you are inspired to become my lifesaving donor, please fill out the contact form on my GiftWorks website: www.giftworksuuh.com/micheleo.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and support.
Questions & Answers
WAS MICHELE'S FAMILY TESTED?
Unfortunately, most of the family cannot donate at this time for health reasons. In some cases, the best living donor is one who is not a family member, even when family members do step forward to donate.
DO I NEED INSURANCE TO DONATE?
While the recipient's insurance will provide coverage for the donor, the donor needs to have their own health insurance in the rare event an unknown health issues comes up for the donor.
WHAT ABOUT MY EXPENSES?
While the recipient's insurance covers all costs related to the donation (for Michele and her donor), there are expenses like travel, meals, and lost wages that can be incurred. However, we want you to know there are resources available to ensure you do not have to pay for anything out of pocket. The GiftWorks' team can provide more information about those resources if you choose to step forward as a living donor.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
Living kidney donors are often able to return to work within 2 weeks, and fully heal within 6-8 weeks. After surgery, the donor’s remaining kidney will also grow in size and function, allowing them to live normal life with just one kidney.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO DONATE?
The following are pre-qualification requirements for living donation: must be between the age of 18-69 years old, must be healthy and free of major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity (BMI of 37 or less), and must be mentally and emotionally healthy.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MICHELE DOES NOT FIND A DONOR?
The ideal outcome is for Michele is to find a living donor. She has already battled so much with her kidney disease that being on the kidney transplant waiting list for 3-5 years is simply not ideal. We are all hoping and praying that she is able to find her donor so she can continue on with her life as a mother, grandmother, and friend.
