Imeleta Needs a Living Kidney Donor
“I truly want a second chance in life. I’m hopeful someone will see my story and choose to bless me with the gift of life.”
Imeleta’s Story
Imeleta was diagnosed with CKD in 2020, with diabetes and high blood pressure identified as the primary culprits. In 2021, she commenced dialysis, and now, three years later, she faces the ongoing challenge of adapting to her health condition.
The most difficult aspect for Imeleta is the inability to engage in activities she once enjoyed and to savor the foods she loved. As a wife, sister, daughter, and cherished aunt, Imeleta finds herself in a predicament where her family members are unable to donate due to health reasons (such as having diabetes). She now seeks assistance and support in her journey towards better health.
We Need to Find a Living Donor
Waiting 3-5 years for a kidney from a deceased donor is not the best path forward for Imeleta. With a living donor, Imeleta can get her kidney transplant sooner! Research has shown that when patients receive a kidney from a living donor, the outcome is generally better. Living kidney donation is also ideal because kidneys from living donors last longer than a deceased donor and there is a lower chance Imeleta’s immune system will attack her new kidney (a process known as organ rejection).
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Imeleta 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 Imeleta'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 Imeleta's page today! Also, be sure to share Imeleta's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of her story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Imeleta find her lifesaving donor.
Process for Stepping Forward for Imeleta
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
Imeleta Needs Your Help!
Donating a kidney is an extraordinary and meaningful act. It offers someone a chance at a healthier and more fulfilling life. While it’s impossible to help everyone in need, you can make a significant impact by donating one of your kidneys. I’m currently supporting someone very special to me, Imeleta, in her search for a living kidney donor. Her strength and resilience are truly inspiring, and I believe she has so much to give to the world. I’m hopeful that someone will step forward to give her the ultimate gift—the gift of life—by becoming her living kidney donor. For more information, you can find a link to her website in the comments below.
I’m still Looking For a Living Kidney Donor to Save My Life!
As many of you know, I have been actively seeking a living kidney donor. Over the past six months, my search has become more urgent, but I have yet to receive news of a donor being selected. If you have already come forward, I am deeply grateful and admire your bravery, even if I don’t personally know everyone who has taken this courageous step.
For those still considering donation or wanting to take further steps to get tested, I encourage you to move forward. The simplest way to begin is by filling out the contact form on my website, which is linked in the comments below. Thank you for your support.
Please SHARE to Help Imeleta!
Imeleta has been battling Chronic Kidney Disease since 2020, doing everything she can to slow its progression. Now, she urgently needs a living kidney donor to save her life. The wait for a deceased donor could take years—time she doesn’t have. A living donor offers the quickest and best chance for Imeleta to regain her health and return to the activities she loves. It will give her more precious time with her dear family and friends, too. Please share her story, and if you or someone you know can help, visit www.giftworksuuh.com/imeletat. Your support could give Imeleta the greatest gift imaginable!
Questions & Answers
WAS IMELETA'S FAMILY TESTED?
Unfortunately, most of the family cannot donate for health reasons, such as diabetes. 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 Imeleta 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 IMELETA DOES NOT FIND A DONOR?
The ideal outcome is for Imeleta 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. Long-term dialysis is also not ideal as it can lead to a variety of complications such as low blood pressure, injection site infection, and blood clots.
