Richard De Young, better known as Ric, is a 58 year-old father and grandfather who is in desperate need of a lifesaving kidney transplant. After a lifelong struggle with diabetes, Ric became very ill and is now suffering from end-stage-renal disease or kidney failure. Without a kidney transplant, Ric will continue to be out of work and undergo lengthy dialysis treatments. He will grow sicker and more weak, and his time will eventually run out. Ric grew up in Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Fruitport High School. He immediately went to work as a mechanic and worked hard to support himself. In 2003, Ric enrolled in Baker College Flight School hoping to fulfill his dream of flying airplanes. He spent over 32 years working as a mechanic, and a long distance truck driver for 5 years. He is single and lives on his own with the love and support of family and friends. Ric has a kind heart and spent many of his healthy years helping those less fortunate with car repairs. He takes great pride in helping others and working on cars, and more than ever would like to return to the things he enjoys most.
While Ric undergoes extensive medical testing to be placed on the active transplant list at St. Mary’s Hospital, his out-of-pocket medical expenses continue to add up. Co-pays and deductibles, medical bills, caregiver fees, travel, lodging, meal fees and living expenses are more than he can handle alone. Ric will be required to take costly, post-transplant medications to halt rejection that are needed for the rest of his life. He cannot afford these expenses alone, and Ric is asking for your support.
To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Ric’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Great Lakes Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, please click on the yellow DONATE NOW button.
Thank you ahead of time for your thoughts, prayers, and generous support. Any donation amount, no matter how big or small, is one step closer to a brighter future for Ric.
Gratefully,
Ric’s family, friends and Community
