Many of you know me as a speech and language pathologist who has worked with children and adults for many years. You probably also know that I love to travel and exercise. What you may not know, is that for more than 16 years I have been battling systemic lupus. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ or system of the body. The disease has been very aggressive. Eight years ago my kidneys began to fail. Three years ago I began dialysis.
Now at age 39 my doctors at Duke University Medical Center have told me that I am in need of a life-saving kidney transplant. Through all of this I have continued to work fulltime. On November 29, 2010 I will receive the gift of life. My dear friend and co-worker Sarah Ellen will be donating one of her kidneys to me. Sarah Ellen is a kindergarten teacher, the mother of two children and in the Air Force Reserves. We met when I was working at Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School.
Not only is a transplant a major surgical procedure, it is also very expensive. Even with insurance I will be incurring many costs that must be paid for out of pocket. Some of these expenses are travel and relocation expenses for my living donor Sarah at the time of transplant, co-pays, deductibles, and I will be on a life time of anti-rejection medications. This is a challenge I can not meet alone.
A fundraising campaign has been established with the HelpHOPELive (HelpHOPELive) in my honor. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that has been assisting the transplant community for over twenty-seven years. All contributions are administered by HelpHOPELive exclusively for uninsured transplant-related expenses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Won’t you please consider making a year end tax deductible contribution to my campaign today?To email this page directly to others in your community who might wish to learn about this campaign, click the EMAIL TO FRIENDS button and type in as many addresses as you wish.
It’s never easy to ask for help and now is certainly no exception. I deeply appreciate the support I have received. At times like this, the assistance of family, friends, and the community is crucial to help ensure a positive outcome.
With warm regards,
Roger Grimsley
919-801-8636
grimone1@msn.com
