Our Mom, Michelle “Mickey” Zastawny, was diagnosed with kidney disease 5 years ago. She is now on the transplant waiting list through the University of Michigan. Until she receives a transplant, she goes to dialysis 3 days per week for about 4 hours each time.
If you know her, then you know what a generous, creative and talented artist she is! As a child growing up in Detroit, she found it hard to express herself using words, so she used her art to communicate to the world. She made a career of creating art; whether it was working at the Detroit News as a graphic designer, painting commercial signs through her sign company or getting in the water and painting boats, she has done it all, on top of being a single Mom of two very independent girls.
She moved to Traverse City to be closer to her grandchildren about 10 years ago. She has found a wonderful, creative community at The Old Town Playhouse where she volunteers her time helping with their sets and she has made lots of lasting friendships through the Traverse City Newcomers Club. She has given her time and talents to The Ronald McDonald House in Detroit, the Friends of the Parade Association, various local Church communities, the Traverse City Community Garden and Gladhander. She loves to help others to see the beauty that surrounds us.
Being on dialysis has been quite a challenge and a blessing for Mickey. She is patiently awaiting a kidney transplant, however, the time commitment and adverse reactions with dialysis have been hard for such an active person. Dialysis is also a restrictive intervention because it requires her to attend the clinic 5+ hours, 3 times per week. As a result, she is unable to commit to many engagements or spend time with family and friends that require travel. She still gets to her exercise classes at the YMCA though!
With all the medical treatments and financial requirements that her End Stage Renal Disease has required, we are asking for your help. Even with insurance, transplantation is very expensive. Mickey will have major out-of-pocket medical expenses, including follow-up visits, travel and temporary housing close to Ann Arbor after the transplant, not to mention the costly medications she will have to take for the rest of her life. The financial burden that her disease has left her with has been hard for her in her retirement years. She cannot afford this transplant without our help.
To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in Michelle’s honor has been established with www.HelpHopeLive.org. To make a tax-deductible donation, click Give now. And please share her campaign page on your social media platforms!
If you would like more information on becoming a living donor, you can call the University of Michigan Transplant Center at 1-800-333-9013.
If we all work together, we can make sure that our Mom and Grammy lives a long and healthy life watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren blossom! Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
With sincere gratitude,
Kelly Prout and Tracy Jenkins, Mickey’s daughters
