This is a photo of my sister, Sandra (dotted blouse), our mother, Madge, brother, Richard and me. The 2008 Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season was far from the “fun and happy” times we had previously experienced as a family. It was at this time that Sandra’s kidney tumor was discovered and the diseased kidney was removed. For the next two years, Sandra was able to work. Constant adjustments to her blood pressure medication caused her remaining kidney to fail. In April 2010 Sandra started dialysis three days a week. Now, after remaining cancer free for five years, Sandra is now eligible for a kidney transplant.

Even with insurance Sandra will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits and the costly anti-rejection medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life.