My name is Diane Smith and for over twenty years I have been dealing with kidney and liver failure. Due to my illness, I have been on home dialysis for over a year now, my eyesight is degenerating, and my blood counts are low. Doctors have informed me that my only option for a long and healthy life is to have a kidney/liver transplant. I hope to complete evaluations and be placed on the active waiting list at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.
Hopefully, these transplants will give me the opportunity to watch my grandchildren grow up and to spend time playing with my four great-grands (soon to be five at the end of the year!). I have been a home health aide on and off for the last forty-four years and hope that after my recuperation I can eventually go back to this job and my church work as well.
Even with insurance, I will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life.
To assist with some of these expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 28 years. All donations are tax-deductible and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. To make a contribution:On behalf of my family, we thank you for your support, helping hand and prayers during this difficult time.
Diane L. Smith
