Denise Womack

THERE’S A KIDNEY WITH MY NAME ON IT

My beloved son, Danny Hogg, aka Cool Disco Dan, a Graffiti Artist in the Washington, DC area, died prematurely at the age of 47 four years ago. He died from complications of diabetes. A parent should never have to bury their child.

Will you take this journey with me?

I was diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension over twenty-five years ago. This diagnosis caused my kidneys to progressively become damaged. When kidneys fail, wastes and extra fluid can build up in the blood and make you sick. My treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. I am currently receiving dialysis treatments. Dialysis removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood. A kidney transplant places a healthy kidney in the body.

Getting regular dialysis treatments help my kidneys do their job and keep me alive, but a transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. A transplant would also give me more time to do the fun things I enjoy the most like volunteering locally, writing, art and spending quality time with family and friends.

However, finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Just ask the 100,000+ people on the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney. The average wait time is 5 years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor. However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor.

Asking someone to consider donating a kidney to me is awkward, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.

You might not know a lot about a living donor. Understandably, some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. Below is some basic information about kidney donation:

• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
• Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
• The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.
• The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance.
• You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you
understand the risks and benefits and look out for your best interests.

You may qualify as a living donor if you are in good general health, do not suffer from high blood pressure, cancer or diabetes and have good kidney function.

You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or [email protected]. If you have some concerns and would like to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NKF can also help.

If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center directly at 704-355-3602.

While I do have health insurance, I am raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund my uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation such as hospital costs, anti-rejection medication and co-pays/deductibles.

I have chosen to fundraise in part because Help Hope Live will manage donations designated to me to pay or reimburse my medical and related expenses. All online donations are acknowledged immediately with an email receipt for tax purposes.
For donations under $250, the IRS recognizes the donor’s cancelled check or debit card statement as proof of a charitable donation. For donations of $250 or more, Help Hope Live also sends a letter of acknowledgement.

To make a tax-deductible donation to my fundraising campaign, click on the Give button. Any donation is a blessing. You CAN make a difference.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399 or click on the link below.

I’m not ready to leave this earth anytime soon. I want to continue to be there for my only living child, my #1, my Precious Daughter. There are organizations still in need of my volunteer skills, I still have lots of stories to write and lots of art to create. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and thank you for all of your support!