UPDATE: John received his transplant on July 29, 2013 and is on the road to recovery. John and his family greatly appreciate your continued support!

As many of you know, 15 years ago John had a kidney transplant that made a difference to our family that I cannot even begin to explain. Every day since then has truly been a gift. Two and a half years ago John had a rejection episode and the transplanted kidney has failed. John has been on dialysis 3 days a week for 4 ½ hours a day for the last 2 years. The dialysis keeps him as well as can be expected but it does take a toll on his body. His blood pressure is low and he passes out when he least expects it and so he is not able to work. The doctor has told him that the only way to improve now rather than just maintain is to have a kidney transplant as soon as possible. He has been on the transplant list for just over a year with a couple of possibilities, but nothing so far that was compatible.

With all of the help we had 16 years ago, we have tried to make sure we were prepared financially for this event, but with John’s inability to work and changes in benefits from my employer we now find ourselves struggling to fund this life- saving operation. With Medicare, many of his medical needs are not covered and must be paid out-of-pocket. John will need between $20,000 and $40,000 for the 20% not covered by Medicare, and his lifelong immunosuppresant medications. Also, the expense of traveling to and from the University of Utah and then relocation costs at the time of transplant will be high. With no insurance benefits to help with the 20% we need to cover, John’s transplant has been temporarily put on hold until we can show an ability to pay that amount. This is a challenge we cannot meet alone.

To help with his uninsured costs, a fundraising campaign in John’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All contributions are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Northwest Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant- related expenses only. You can help make a difference in John’s life. Please consider making a contribution.

For credit card contributions, select the DONATE NOW button or call 800-642-8399.

To donate by check, please:

Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive

Note in memo section:
In honor of John Kootstra

Please send to:
HelpHOPELive
2 Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

Together we can make a difference by assisting John during this difficult time and of course prayer support is always welcome. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

In Christ,
Janet Kootstra
208-410-0751
[email protected]