Esther Jones

Esther Mae’s Story: A True Friendship

May we introduce you to our friend, Esther Mae Jones. She is an active board member of the Portland Kidney Group, a volunteer with the NE Community Center, and a Soprano Section Leader and soloist with the St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Portland, OR. She is also a courageous woman who is working to complete her education to become a registered dietician while overcoming the rare form of kidney disease that has plagued her for the last three years.

Formerly in renal failure, Esther was on peritoneal dialysis and managed through some very difficult, painful, and trying times. She struggled with many medical complications fighting to remain active and do the things she loves. In spite of her tremendous efforts to manage her disease, her doctors told her that her only chance for long-term survival was to have a kidney transplant.

Well good news! On December 13, 2010 Esther Mae received the gift of life from her dear friend Sarah, who was a very good match!!

Over the years, Esther has celebrated many holidays with Sarah’s family. They once traveled to Thailand together and Sarah is now one of Esther’s main health advocates. Now it seems like this incredible gesture of friendship will forever connect them as true friends. We are so happy to report they both came through the transplant with shining colors, and Esther has hardly missed a beat in her school work, continuing to attend classes and take her mid terms on top of myriad check ups and doctors appointments to be sure her new kidney (“Sarita”) is functioning well and her disease is in check. (Not without a lot of hard work, mind you;). We are also excited to report that “Sarita” is really putting out well and Sarah is also doing very well, offering us lots of hope for all of their futures!

But as you can imagine, although indeed lifesaving, transplants are extremely expensive and the uninsured expenses can be devastating. Even with insurance, Esther will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits and the expensive immunosuppressant medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life. Too, it is our hope to assist her donor with any expenses she may incur during this time.

To help defray such expenses, a fundraising campaign in Esther’s honor has been established here with HelpHOPELive. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community with fundraising for 30 years. To make a tax-deductible contribution:

By credit card:
Click on the “DONATE NOW” button above or call 800-642-8399

Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive

Note in memo section:
“In Honor of Esther Jones” <– very important to direct your donation to Esther!

Send to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

It’s never easy to ask for assistance, but funding Esther’s transplant is a difficult challenge and we need your help. Your financial gifts and prayers will be greatly appreciated.

With sincere gratitude,

Friends of Esther, Sarah and “Sarita”:)