Cody Jewell

YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Born with diseased kidneys, Cody Jewell now needs a kidney transplant. Cody has struggled with his health for his entire life, beginning with his first surgery at only two weeks to relieve a blockage that was successful in buying him some time. Ultimately, his kidneys failed at the age of 12 and he went on dialysis for a year before receiving his first transplant from a living donor. He thrived throughout junior high and high school, but was unable to walk the stage at his graduation because of failing health once again.

On December 12, 2012, Cody’s transplanted kidney stopped functioning effectively, and he was diagnosed with end stage renal disease a second time. His battle began, and he has been on dialysis for several years to stay alive. Though he will soon be married and has been doing fairly well on this treatment, we are told that Cody’s body is starting to require longer and longer sessions. At this point, he has to stay connected to his dialysis machine for 13 hours per night, and his only real shot at a long and healthy life is to receive a kidney transplant as soon as possible. Currently, Cody is on the kidney transplant list at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. In addition, there are several potential living donors waiting to be tested.

Because of the extraordinary expense of transplantation, funding this life-saving operation is a monumental task. Despite having Medicare, many of Cody’s medical needs are not covered and must be paid out-of-pocket. We anticipate substantial uninsured costs such as lifelong immunosuppressant medications, travel to and from the center, and relocation at the time of transplant. This presents a challenge Cody cannot meet alone.

To help reduce this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Cody’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Central Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only.

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.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity!