Dear Friends and Family,

Hello, my name is Alma Garcia and I am 34-years-old and single mother of Anthony, age 14. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glumeronephritis (FSG), which causes the small “filters” within the kidney to become scarred thus decreasing kidney function over time. My kidney function was stable until three years ago. In December 2012 I experienced renal failure and again in both December 2012 and this past July. It was after the last episode in July that I was told I would have to begin dialysis treatments which I am now on.

My doctors at Tampa General have informed me that my only chance at a healthy life is to have a kidney transplant. I am now on the active waiting list at the transplant center. Even with insurance, I will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctors’ visits and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life. Tampa General has suggested I begin fundraising to help raise a total of $11,000 to cover some of these expenses — $5500 of which I must raise before the transplant can actually take place.