Dear Family, Church Family, Community Partners and Friends:

Karlene is a single mother of two amazing children, Felicia and Karson. They are her world and she is proud of the people they are growing into. Being a single mother is a struggle within itself but with her medical diagnoses added to that is a struggle to survive. Karlene’s battle with diabetic kidney disease has come to a critical point. Karlene needs a pancreas/kidney transplant to survive.

Karlene has always been considered to be the “Go To” person to assist others. Her organizational skills in helping family and friends and the community live better, healthier lives. On top of these severe stressors, she has had to manage the outcome of the divorce from her husband; he left and abandoned his wife and children three years ago during Karlene’s health crisis. His leaving has caused additional financial hardship on top of the exorbitant costs of her medical expenses. Karlene’s emotional strength and unwavering faith have helped her to navigate these challenges thus far but she needs your help. With one child in college and another at home, she is struggling to meet their needs as well as her own.

We are asking YOU, family and friends to join us in her fundraising campaign for the nonprofit Help Hope Live. This organization will help with critical expenses Karlene will face immediately after surgery. Funds are needed for such items as the cost of lodging near the transplant center following her discharge. Karlene has always lived a positive and productive life despite her chronic health condition. She has never let health challenges prevent her from reaching and achieving her dreams. She is a dedicated public servant for the District of Columbia and she continues to care for her children. Karlene’s positive attitude and lifestyle helped her avoid the inevitable for a long time, but now her kidneys and pancreas need to be replaced, and we need your help.

While Karlene has health insurance, many transplant expenses are surprisingly not covered. The American Kidney Fund currently pays Karlene’s Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield premiums; but, will STOP paying post transplant. The monthly ant-rejection medications she needs to take for the life of her new kidneys and the pancreas are extremely expensive. She has been told to anticipate upwards of $5,000 per month just for medications alone. Donations to Help Hope Live can help ease the financial transplant burden and allow her to focus on a healthy recovery, a long life ahead with her family and friends, and serving the community. We remain prayerful that Karlene will soon receive her organs and the funding she needs to sustain her through this journey.

Thank You for taking time to read our story, praying unceasingly for God’s mercy and favor.

Sincerely,
Karl & Dale Ore