Dear Friends and Family,
As many of you already know, for the past several years our son, LaTorrey, 42, has been courageously battling end stage renal disease brought on by untreated high blood pressure. Previously, LaTorrey lived a very active life as health fitness manager at Gold’s Gym before finding out he had chronic kidney disease in 2009. On December 24, 2011, he began emergency dialysis. For one and a half years now, LaTorrey has been on dialysis three days per week, four hours a day. This treatment is helping him to live in spite of the energy drain he experiences at times. Even though LaTorrey is unable to work, we thank God that he maintains a positive attitude toward his condition. His involvement with the praise and mime ministry in his church greatly encourages him and keeps him hopeful. We are told that in order for him to live a more healthy and productive life, he must receive a kidney transplant as soon as possible.
LaTorrey’s sister, LaCrecha, has volunteered to give him a kidney. She has already undergone extensive testing to determine that she is a perfect match for LaTorrey. LaCrecha, our sweet daughter, is so happy that she will be able to give her brother a second chance at life. However, due to the extraordinary expense of transplantation, as well as LaTorrey’s inability to work, funding this life-saving operation is a monumental task. Despite having Medicare, many of LaTorrey’s medical needs are not covered and must be paid-out-of-pocket. He will need between $20,000 and $40,000 for his lifelong immunosuppressant medications.
To help reduce the financial burden of this transplant, a fundraising campaign in LaTorrey’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Central Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation:It’s never easy to ask for assistance, but funding LaTorrey’s transplant is a difficult challenge and we need your help. Your financial gifts and prayers will be greatly appreciated.
With sincere and loving gratitude,
Larry & Carolyn Gilbert
Parents of LaTorrey Gilbert
214-856-5395