My wife, Cecil Nelson, is a courageous woman battling a deteriorating kidney disease at the young age of 30 years old. Cecil has only 40 percent function left in both of her kidneys. As a result, she started hemodialysis three days a week for 3 months starting September of 2012. Fortunately her doctor was able to switch her to peritoneal dialysis done at home each night for a period of 9 hours. Though it sounds grueling, it made it possible for Cecil to be home with me and our 3 year old son, Leematthew. After extensive testing, doctors determined her only real shot at a long and healthy life is to receive a kidney transplant as soon as possible.
It does not seem so long ago that a family member introduced Cecil and I by internet. For about a year, our long distance relationship gave us the time to get to know each other before meeting in person. I visited Cecil in the Philippines where she was born and raised. Not long after my trip, Cecil moved to the United States and we started our family. Our son, Leematthew is our pride and joy. He helps Cecil remain strong with each “I love you, Mommyâ€.
However, because of the extraordinary expense of transplantation, funding this life-saving operation is a monumental task. Even though Cecil has Medicare to pay for 80 percent of the surgery, it does not cover the anti-rejection medications she will need to take for the rest of her life. Before being placed on the active kidney transplant list, Cecil is required to have $15,000 set aside for her post-meds. Both Cecil and I are on Social Security Disability. We are faced with a challenge we cannot meet alone.
To help offset her uninsured costs, a fundraising campaign in Cecil’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 in the Northwest Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. You can help make a difference in Cecil’s life. Please consider an end-of-year tax-deductible contribution.
For credit card contributions, please select the DONATE NOW button or call 800.642.8399, or:
Thank you for any help you can give,
Richard Nelson, Jr.
(Cecil’s husband)
[email protected]
