Operation Save my Daddy
My name is Jett and I need your help
Although he’s my hero, my daddy is sick
he needs to have a transplant
because his kidneys are polycystic
My dad’s a hard worker
He works everyday
His job doesn’t have insurance
So out of pocket we must pay
He is the best daddy in the world
The best pappy and husband too
But we need money for a transplant
And I don’t know what to do
He needs to watch me grow and play
Needs to teach me how to drive
But he wont be able to do those things
If my daddy’s not alive
Now it’s time to be my daddy’s hero
Please help me fund his transplant
I would gladly go to work if I could
But I’m only 2 years old so I can’t
So please check your pockets
Please check your piggy banks
Please help me save my daddy
And I’ll forever say Thanks
___________________________________________
Jeff Stephen is my husband and my best friend. He is a father, grandfather and amazing guy. Though he’s only 40 years old, Jeff’s kidneys are poisoning him and he is in desperate need of a kidney transplant.
Jeff was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when he was 22. It’s hereditary and there’s no cure. His grandma passed away from it, his mom had a transplant seven years ago and his aunt had one two years ago. PKD causes numerous cysts to grow on one’s kidneys and they slowly replace most of the kidney which reduces kidney function and leads to kidney failure. Jeff’s kidney function is at 17% and he is in stage 5 renal failure now.
Jeff is a father to two-year-old Jett and twins Natalie and Nathan and proud “Pop-Pop” to Corbin and Colton. Instead of running around with Jett, he’s completely exhausted, drained of all energy. His kidneys are poisoning him, robbing quality time with his children and grandchildren. Through it all Jeff has remained an extremely hard worker, working 40-50 hours a week to try to provide for our family’s needs.
Jeff needs immediate pre-transplant testing so that he can be put on the transplant wait list and so that friends and family can be tested to see about a possible donor match. But even before listing can occur, we need to pay $12,000 up front to the transplant center. Later on, our share of the transplant costs and post-transplant medications will be over $70,000.
Jeff is a proud man who doesn’t want to be a burden and doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. But I know that he would do anything to help a family member or friend in need. But as his wife and mother to his child, I beg you to please help us raise the money to save my best friend.
We have chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.
For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.
Gratefully,
J’la Stephen
765-914-0562
Updates (42)
July 5, 2017
So we finally received our kidney transplant on June 14th!!!! My precious fridney Jenny donated her kidney to save my life. This has all been made possible by all of you and my amazing wife J'la and my wonderful family and support team. I can never say thank you enough!! We love you and will try to update as we progress through the healing process.
June 13, 2017
Sooooooo we are finally here!!!!! Transplant surgery is tomorrow (June 14). So happy to finally be here. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. We love you all
February 14, 2016
An update on Jeff. He came home from the hospital Monday evening and continues to recover from the kidney embolization. He is still very weak and needs lots of prayers. God bless you all!
February 14, 2016
we want to say a special thank you to Rhonda Brown and Mr and Mrs Rodney Robinson for their generosity.
February 5, 2016
Update on Jeff... He had surgery wed 2/3/16. The surgeon ended up having to embolize the entire right kidney (cut off all blood supply to it). So basically, waiting on the kidney to die. It has been extremely painful and far more then what we ever expected. Jeff is a tough cookie but yesterday he didn't think he was going to handle another second of pain! He was/is on the strongest pain meds plus a morphine pump and it wasn't touching the pain. It was the saddest thing to witness for all of us knowing Jeff's pain tolerance is crazy! Saying all of this, the last few hours has been much better !!
January 6, 2016
Just a quick update: fistula surgery on Monday the 4th went well. Doctor will let it heal for a month or so and determine if it is ready for use. Till then they will continue to use the chest catheter. We go back to IU for more testing the first week of February. One potential donor has made it through several phases of the donor process :-) thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We will update as we have more info.
December 11, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to the folks from Dad's work at Volvo Powertrain for their friendship and generosity!
December 11, 2015
So today we went to IU for pre-transplant evaluation. Lots of education and they took looooooooottts of blood lol I will begin the other tests gradually over the next few months and hopefully we'll be getting a transplant soon thereafter!!! We will be updating as the process goes along because I know a lot of you have told us your following along and are praying for us. This is all thanks to your generosity!! We can not say thank you enough for making this possible for us!! Thank you, we love you, God bless you, and Merry Christmas!!
November 21, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to
Naticia Fleegle!
November 12, 2015
Well we started hemo dialysis today unfortunately. Everyone took great care of me and was super caring and friendly. IU called the other day and we go second week of December for pre-transplant testing and evaluation. 6 people have already called to see if they can test to be a donor! Thank you precious friends!
November 9, 2015
A very special thank you to Roxanne Abner and everyone who made the cheer competition happen!! You guys are amazing!!
November 4, 2015
A very special thank you goes out today to:
Kenny and Esther Morrison
CLW
November 3, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to
Jim's Car Wash
Ed and Sharon Rader
Jason and Missy Pennington and family
November 2, 2015
A special thank you goes out to our friends at Cornerstone Church of Christ in Chambersburg, PA.
November 1, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to our church family at Full Gospel Chapel and everyone who came out to the spaghetti dinner! We love you all!
October 30, 2015
Well for those of you following our story, many of you know we had a little setback this week. Monday evening the cardiologist admitted me to the hospital because of the chest pains I had been having for some time. Tuesday they did a catheter and found 4 blockages. 1 in the main artery was 90% blocked. On Thursday they put a stent in to open up the blockage. It is Friday and we just got home a little while ago. Thank God for his goodness and thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!
October 12, 2015
We want to say a very special thank you to Mr and Mrs Joe Peacock and family! You're generosity is greatly appreciated!
October 12, 2015
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated and helped this weekend and made the garage sale such a big success!! Thank you so much!!! You guys are awesome!!
October 8, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to my cousin Kim Pennington!
October 7, 2015
We want to say a very special thank you to Nick Wetzel, the entire Wetzel Family, and everyone at Wetzel Family Auto Group! Your friendship and generosity to our family is greatly appreciated!
October 5, 2015
A very special thank you today to
Mrs Stella Davis who was like a second mother to me growing up!
New Paris American Legion Post 360
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
October 5, 2015
Thank you to my home church family at Full Gospel Chapel! Words can't begin to express how much you mean to us or how much we are moved by your love and generosity! FGC raised over $3700 to help us on our way to the transplant list! This means that when this deposit and car wash deposit post, we will have reached almost $11,000!!! You all are amazing and we love you!!
October 4, 2015
Thank you to everyone who made the car wash such a huge success!! You raised $2200 for our kidney drive! We are closing in on the testing because of you!!!! We thank you and we love you all!!!
September 30, 2015
We want to say a very special thank you to Chapel Hill Christian Church!
September 29, 2015
We want to say a special thank you to
Mr and Mrs Doug Jackson
Mr and Mrs Doug Hedge
Mr and Mrs O.D. Bullock
September 29, 2015
Special thank you to
Mr and Mrs Lenny Morgan
Mr and Mrs Paul Wesler
September 27, 2015
Thank you to everyone who made the bake sale such a huge success!!! We love you all!
September 23, 2015
A very special thank you today to
Valerie Nozick
New Paris American Legion Post 360. Thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts!!
September 22, 2015
Lindsey Reed thank you so much for making and selling all those delicious desserts to help us!!! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.......and our stomachs!!
September 21, 2015
I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has shown us so much love, friendship, and support! We are 25% of the way to the transplant list in less than a week! Thank you thank you thank you! This is what you all made possible for our family! We love you all! Special thank you's today to
Matt and Jennifer Minor
Logan Jackson
Lisa Jackson
Ryan Allen
Roger and Janet Redmond
And one very special nephew in Florence, Alabama making snd selling bracelets for uncle Jeff- Noah Pennington. I love you Noah!
September 20, 2015
Very special thank you today to the following special people. Your generosity and caring have touched us deeply, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Cornerstone Church of Christ (Chambersburg, PA)
Jim Napier and family
Bobby Patton and family
Robbie Jones Bailey
Marty and Shirley Jackson
Bruce and Bonnie Hoff
September 20, 2015
Just posting the link again. Many of you have messaged us to let us know your following on FB. Thank you everyone for your love, friendship, and support! You're all amazing!!
Love- Jeff, J'la, and Jett
September 19, 2015
Thank you Uncle Brent and Aunt Cyndie! Thank you Carolyn! God has revealed so much to us these last few days that we are not alone and he is always working things to our good, even when we cannot see the plan. The plan is his, so it will not be left undone!
September 19, 2015
Thank you Logan Jackson!
September 19, 2015
We will also be doing a benefit donation garage sale during New Paris garage sale days on October 10th at Bill Sweet's office! We will be excepting donations from now until October 9th! If you have anything you wish to get rid of and would like to donate to the cause, please message me!
T-shirts and hoodies coming soon!
A big thank you to New Paris American Legion 360 and to Bill Sweet!
September 19, 2015
Many of u have been asking what our plans are for fundraisers. Here is what we have planned for the next few weeks... We will be doing a benefit car wash at the Legion in new Paris on Sunday, October 4th from 12-6. Anyone who is interested in helping, message me! Anyone who is looking to have a sparkling brand new looking car, bring those wheels on out!
September 18, 2015
We cannot express enough how deeply we have been touched by the outpouring of love and friendship of everyone the last few days. More special "thank you"s for today go out to:
Roxanne Abner
Josh and Jen James
Elke Melling
Karen Settles
Chad and Missy Albright
Natalie Stephen
Matt and Jill Stephen
September 18, 2015
This is to our Facebook Page which is also spreading the word, and one more place you can receive updates.
September 18, 2015
Special thank you to the following
Christina Kemplin
Bill Sweet
Ginny Matthews
Teresa Sisco
Jack and Brenda Robison
Valerie Foster
Cierra Ammerman
Wendy Wyatt Denlinger
Linda Hardin
Jessica Bair
Jody Vanzant
Rachel Fields
Derek Bane
Kathy Bergan
Garry and Kristi Levi
Jennifer Bayt
Theo and Paulett Thompson
Jodi Anderson
Angela Barth
Christina Kemplin
Dexter Melling
Christal Nisewonger
Gary Stapleton
Wendi Juhasz Stapleton
Lindsey Reed
Karissa Tudor
Dee Johnson
Bonnie Hoff
Stacie Foust
Kelli Foust
Jennifer Minor
Brenda Heaton
Bill and Wanda Cox
Don and Judy Stephen
Junior and Cindy Jackson
Nathan and Sierra Stephen
Brian and Des Patrick
Jason and Missy Pennington
Jane Albright
And two very special customers who wish to remain anonymous!
Thank you all!
September 17, 2015
So our dear friend Bonnie would like us to let everyone know that anyone who donates $100 or more to the campaign will receive a gift certificate for a free wash, cut, and style! For yourself or a friend! If you want to participate in this, please donate directly to Bonnie Hoff at Hairy Decisions Studio. Thank you so much Bonnie! Thank you everyone!
September 17, 2015
I want to take a moment just to say thank you to everyone for everything. The last 24 hours has been a whirlwind of emotion to say the least LOL I want to thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to express your concern, your friendship, your donations, your time, just passing on to us the fact that you care! We are more deeply touched and blessed than we could ever have possibly imagined! We are eternally grateful for sharing your love with us! I truly want to thank you, everyone of you and I am not even going to try to start naming everyone because in my absentmindedness I will undoubtedly forget someone and I do not want to do that. However there are few people that I must thank who have been on this journey with me the entire time and who I rely on more than they could possibly imagine. First and foremost, God who has been so much better to me than I ever deserve! Thank you to my beautiful wife and children you are the light of my life and I truly am the most blessed husband and father on the earth! Thank you mom and dad for always being there! I am the luckiest son in the world without a doubt! Thank you to my brother and his family and to my wonderful family that I gained when I married my amazing wife! You have all been such a tremendous blessing to my life and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! I love you all! - Jeff
September 15, 2015
Please read our poem to the left and scroll down to learn more about Jeff's desperate need for a kidney and how you can help. Thanks!
Photo Galleries (2)
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Guestbook
September 30, 2015
We continue to pray for you here at Chapel Hill. Praying that the Lord will provide you healing and strength as you journey through this difficult time. Brent will keep us posted on how you're doing.
Steve Allen, Chapel Hill Christian Church, Kokomo, IN
September 21, 2015
I'm so blessed to have met you guys and to call you friends. You are great people and deserve all the good things in this life. I know before looking you will surpass your goal. Prayers to all of you.
Jennifer m.
September 19, 2015
Jeff I have watched you grow up and become the strong young man that you are now. With payer s and love to you and family. Remember God is miracle worker
Carolyn Muncy
September 19, 2015
God has this... He has you and your family in his hands.
We love you Jeff.
Uncle Brent & Aunt Cyndie
September 18, 2015
Jeff your a good man and I will be praying for you it makes me happy to see everybody comimg together to help a big hearted hard working guy like you to get the help that you need because I know that you would do the same because you are an amazing person gods got a plan for you an this is all gonna work out but I love you jeff an if u need anything ill help as much as I possibly can
-logan jackson
logan jackson
September 16, 2015
From my heart to yours; you are indeed an outstanding young man and I look forward to times ahead that we can laugh , pray and worship together. Always kno that I pray for you daily and I am always just a phone call away. Psalm 23
Your friend. Bill Cox
September 16, 2015
Jeff you are such an amazing person and a wonderful Son; you are truly God's gift of love to me. Life hasn't always given you an easy path but still you persevere. I am so proud of you! Thank uou for bringing such joy to my life and I pray that your "healing" comes soon and that God will speak to hearts through this campaign!
Love you forever and ever, Mom
September 16, 2015
Prayers for you & your family. May God bless you!
Teresa Sisco
September 16, 2015
Prayers for you all!
Ginny matthews
September 16, 2015
Jeff, the poem touched me deeply. I pray that you get everything you need. You seem like a wonderful man in all ways.
Mary Walters, New Paris, OH
September 16, 2015
Sending you and your family lots of hugs and prayers. We love you!!!
Jessica and Cole
September 16, 2015
Jeff you are such am amazing guy! I am one lucky girl to have you as a brother in law! I can't imagine going on with my everyday life as you do.... you never complain and still have a smile on your face.... and most importantly you are the best dad and husband to Jett and J'la..... Thank you for being you! Thank you for being a fun, kind hearted and goofy uncle to my kids, they love you more than you will ever know!!!! Love you Jeffy!!!!!!
Des
September 16, 2015
Jeff you are my best guy friend. How I love you and depend on you. What would I do without you ??!! I am the luckiest girl in the world, I never have to worry about J'la....you are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. You are perfect except your dumb kidney
Cindy
September 16, 2015
I am so happy to see that you have reached out, to accept the same help I know you would give. I know you are a hardworking, loving, honest and courageous man. Everyone that has been blessed to have met you knows what an awesome family man you are, a true HERO to your family. I love you Jeff, your kidney is coming!
Stephanie Murray
September 16, 2015
Jeff, You are such an amazing person! I know this is hard for you to share with the world, but you deserve to live a healthy happy life for you, and the rest of your family. I love you guys so much and pray for you everyday. My hope is that God puts it on people's hearts to donate to your fund and help you achieve your goal. Love you so much... Muah! <3
Kelli Foust
September 16, 2015
Prayers for a donor and for God's hand in all of this.
Tonya Carter
September 16, 2015
Love you all
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 NASB
Josh and Wendy Denlinger
September 16, 2015
Son, I know that this is probably the toughest thing you have ever done. I pray continually that God will heal you and I recognize that God's healing takes many forms: an outright miracle, a kidney transplant, or many other ways God's power can work. What I know is that you are loved more than life itself and you know I will be by your side through thick and thin! And know that what I cannot do, God CAN!
Pop
September 16, 2015
Prayers positive vibes and healing power!
Todd and Jodi Anderson
September 16, 2015
Jeff you are one of my dearest friends and my family and I hope this campaign is successful and you will get your much needed kidney. Love you
Kris, Kathy,Jacob,Jonathan and Justin
September 15, 2015
Love you Jeff!
We're right here for you. Keep your head up because our God is aware of your needs & we claim the victory! Better days closer than you think. Love ya!!
Kristi & Garry Levi
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Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Jeff Stephen
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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