Most of us can identify with this. On December 23, 2011, Tim Lawson did. However, instead of leaving the urgent care center for a local pharmacy, Tim was sent to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with kidney failure. Tim learned he has IgA nephropathy, an incurable disease that occurs when an antibody lodges in the kidneys, preventing the kidneys from being able to perform their job–filtering toxins and fluids from the body.

Since then, Tim’s life has changed dramatically. He feels tired all the time. He endures regular dialysis treatments that keep him alive. A college graduate who previously worked full time and had insurance, Tim now can only work part-time. He has Blue Cross Blue Shield supplemental insurance but, because of his diagnosis, is also on Medicare.

The good news? Insurance covers transplant costs.

Bad news? Before Tim can be considered as a transplant candidate, he needs to raise funds for his post-operative care, which is not covered under either insurance plan.

What do those costs involve? The post-operative care initially is a six-week observation process in Spokane, Washington, so that Sacred Heart physicians can monitor his body’s reaction to the new kidney and ensure his body doesn’t reject it. He also will require funds to cover anti-rejection medications that he will take for the remainder of his life. These drugs also are not covered by insurance.

A fundraising campaign for these uninsured expenses has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that helps patients and families faced with a transplant tackle the daunting task of bridging the financial gap between what their health insurance will cover and what they actually need to heal, live and thrive. Your contributions to HelpHOPELive 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 Tim today by making a gift in his honor.

Your gifts will not just make a difference for Tim. They will save his life.

We are grateful beyond words for your caring support,

Caroline Peterson, Tim’s mom
Pat Schaefer, Tim’s sister