May 6, 2010

Since the age of two, I have battled Type 1 diabetes. In February 2009 I was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure; since July 2009, hemodialysis has been keeping me alive. In December 2008, I married my wife, Elizabeth Michelle Humphrey, whom I love very much. Elizabeth and I want to enjoy many happy years together with our families.
My doctors at the Medical College of South Carolina (MUSC) have told me that my only real chance for a long and healthy life is to have a kidney/pancreas transplant. I am currently undergoing the necessary evaluations at MUSC at this time.
Even with insurance, there will be many uninsured medical expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, travel and relocation, and the yearly co-pays on the costly immunosuppressant medications, estimated at $25,000 – $40,000, that I will need to take for the rest of my life. This will be a monumental financial task for me and my family and we will need your help. I have also been told that I must have $5,000 available before the doctors can place me on the active list. This is a challenge that my family and I cannot meet alone — we need to reach out and ask for your help.
To help offset these uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF). HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 26 years. All Contributions are administered by HelpHOPELive exclusively for uninsured transplant expenses and are tax-deductible. Please consider making a donation today.For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.
If you would like to help fundraise please contact me at 803-614-8040.
Thanks for your support!