Alexandra Heinen-Schaffer

ALEXANDRA NEEDS YOUR HELP

Despite a tough start in life being born 8 weeks premature and weighing only 3.3 pounds, Alexandra has led an otherwise healthy life. But at the young age of 26, she received some devastating news last November. During a routine health exam, doctors found irregularities in her blood panel. Further testing revealed that she was in Stage 4 kidney disease- a shocking diagnosis considering she’s experienced no symptoms up to this point. Doctors are unsure when Alex may progress to stage 5, at which point a kidney transplant is her only option. Although she’s not currently experiencing symptoms, Alex has been added to the National Kidney Registry and is seeking a live kidney donor who can be added to the United Network for Organ Sharing database so she has a healthy kidney available when she needs it.

Alex has feelings of fear and uncertainty over her medical future, but she continues to lead an otherwise normal life. In, 2023 she earned her associates degree in Applied Science in Chemical Technician from Milwaukee Area Technical College and has since been working in quality control at a leading industrial coatings company. Alex has been moving up the ladder and growing her career steadily over the past couple years, with her sights set on a management position in the future. Alex loves animals and has many pets, including 4 cats and 2 dogs that keep her busy at home. Also, she is engaged to be married in July 2025.

Once Alex reaches stage 5 kidney failure, she will likely need dialysis until she can get a transplant. This will require her to miss some work and spend downtime resting between treatments. After the transplant is completed, she will take anti-rejection medications that lower her immune system. As a result, Alex will spend the first year post-transplant carefully following stringent guidelines on her activities outside the home and what she can eat to protect against life-threatening germs and bacteria. Also, Alex will be on prescription medications for the remainder of her life. Since Alex is so young, she will likely need a second kidney transplant later in life.

We are seeking funds to help Alex cover:

medical and prescription costs not covered by insurance, including copays,

Travel for treatments and testing she will endure for years to come, and additional medical expenses she will incur as she moves forward with treatment.

With love and support from her family, friends and employer, Alex is hopeful about her future. Her life is on the upswing, with a growing career and a wedding ahead of her. As an otherwise healthy person, doctors are optimistic about Alex living a full life once she undergoes her transplant.

If you can afford to make a financial contribution of any size to Alex’s fund, she would appreciate it very much.

If you know anyone willing to donate a kidney through the United Network for Organ Sharing, please visit https://www.froedtert.com/transplant/kidney-transplant/living-donor. People of any age and blood type can donate a kidney. The organ sharing program gives Alex a voucher for a matching kidney if anyone donates a kidney in her honor. 

Our family and friends of Alex Heine-Schaffer are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Transplant. Alex has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Thank you for your support!