In February 2010, I was severely ill with pneumonia and was diagnosed with a rare but aggressive form of kidney disease called IGA Nephropathy. IGA Nephropathy is hereditary and causes the immune system to overreact to upper respiratory infections such as pneumonia, which in turn causes kidney failure. Over the next year my doctors tried to save my kidney. In February 2011, I was hospitalized while working as a pipe fitter foreman at Watts Barr Nuclear Power Plant in TN – my kidney function was down to 3% and I started dialysis. Back in California I tried Peritoneal Dialysis so I could work during the day. While working in Nevada I once again became ill due to a massive infection in and around my dialysis site. I was put back on hemodialysis three days a week and have not been able to work since. I have been told that my only chance at a healthy life is to have a kidney transplant.

My brother and several friends have stepped up and are willing to be my living donor. Transplantation is expensive and my transplant center has told me that I must raise $15,000 to be placed on the active list. Even with insurance I will face many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, donor expenses and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life.

To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southwest Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give to help me reach my goal of receiving a transplant which will vastly improve my quality of life and allow me to return to work.

Chuck