My name is Martha Alexander. I am many things: a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Most of all, I’m a SURVIVOR living with kidney disease.
In December 2010, a seemingly routine exam uncovered that my kidney function was 35%. This was a shock as I had always considered myself a healthy individual. Many tests later, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a life threatening auto immune disease where fluid-filled cysts develop and enlarge in both kidneys, eventually leading to renal failure.
In the years that followed, my kidney function continued to decline. In 2013, preparations were made for the eventual necessity of dialysis. In December 2015, I began hemodialysis 3 days a week, 4 hours a day. Unfortunately, I have experienced many complications, including surgery to repair a broken fistula. My kidneys are presently functioning at only 11%.
Living with PKD, I try to be active as I can, but there is so much that I miss due to my medical challenges. This disease has limited my ability to continue many of the activities that are loved by myself and my family. Despite my hard work to maintain a positive outlook, I often feel very isolated.
But this is where HOPE comes in. Not wanting to live life tied to a dialysis chair, I began exploring the option of kidney transplantation. In September, 2016, I met with the Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital Transplant Team who provided me with an in-depth understanding of the waiting list process and requirements. As you can imagine, funding life-saving transplantation is a monumental task. Even with insurance there are many out-of-pocket expenses. For example, I need $7,500 just to get started and get my name on the list. This presents a challenge that my family and I cannot meet alone.
To help offset the financial burden of my uninsured medical expenses, a fundraising campaign in my 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, held at Help Hope Live in the Northwest Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
For credit card contributions, please click the yellow Donate Now button.
Please HELP ME reach my goal for a new kidney! I want to LIVE! I want to watch my grandbabies grow up! Even if you can’t donate to my cause monetarily please consider registering as an organ donor or specifically a kidney donor. Visit https://www.donatelife.net to learn more.
On behalf of my family, thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity and consideration.
