Emily is a 43-year-old mom, raising two young children and helping to raise three step-children, in Indianola, IA. In 2000, she developed a rare neurological disorder that went undiagnosed for more than a year, leaving her with permanent kidney damage. She received a living-donor kidney transplant on March 9, 2016 followed by additional surgeries for incision repairs and was hospitalized two more times for serious blood clots in lungs and legs and infection. Due to the kidney failure prior to transplantation, she will also forever endure bone pain, arthritis and other medical issues that require costly medications. Medical expenses are on-going!
Even though she works two jobs for nonprofit organizations, nonprofit work doesn’t always pay much. These nonprofit organizations do not offer health insurance and she only receives minimal insurance through her husband’s company. Emily loves the work she does and finds nonprofit work to be rewarding and fulfilling.
Updates (5)
October 20, 2016
Emily had another surgery on 10/12/16. After her transplant, she developed a very large hernia at the area of the transplant, which required surgery and another 3-day hospital stay. The surgery was successful but rather extensive due to the size of the hernia, so Emily experienced quite a bit of pain - more than she did with the transplant itself. She is now home and recovering, but could use continued prayers.Continued donations are being accepted as Emily still has many post-transplant and hardship expenses while on leave from work.
March 14, 2016
Emily is pleased to announce she received a living donor kidney on March 9th and it was a successful surgery...the kidney is already functioning well. Now the long months of recovery and multiple trips back and forth to the hospital begins, so Emily is still in need of funds to help with the expenses of office visits and the multiple anti-rejection medications she will be on. Please continue to consider donating to help with these expenses, as Emily is off work while raising two children on her own.
Emily would also like to thank her donor who is someone she works with. Multiple family members, church friends and former classmates called to be tested for Emily, but her donor ended up being a near-stranger - someone she had only worked with for a month when the donor discovered Emily's need and said she it was always a dream to donate a kidney. The two are no longer strangers!
Thank you for your continued support, both emotionally and financially.
Photo Galleries (2)
Guestbook
August 3, 2017
Your were always special to Mom and me. She appreciated your love for all things British.
Carole Ogan
September 18, 2015
Thinking of you and your family. You will be in our prayers.
Love,
Herberger Family
Danielle Herberger
