Leah Beth Good

My name is Leah and I am a wife, mom, daughter, niece and friend — I fall under so many umbrellas. I live in Denver and I am writing this letter today as a niece to my uncle. My mom’s side of the family has been plagued with kidney issues – especially her brothers, two of whom are battling kidney disease. The son of my one uncle will donate a kidney to his dad – my other uncle has small children who cannot be considered donors. I am going to be the living donor to this uncle. Without a kidney transplant, neither of my uncles will survive for the long-term.

My uncle is being treated at the University of VA in Charlottesville where I will be flying to for pre-testing on April 13th. While some of my medical expenses will be covered by my uncle’s insurance, I will still have other uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: one round-trip airfare and a two-night stay for the pre-testing, 2 airfares at approx. $1500 (my husband will travel with me and serve as my caregiver) and temporary lodging expenses in Charlottesville post-transplant for up to 18 days. I will also have the expense of childcare while I am in Charlottesville.

I’m thrilled that this is proceeding! I am nervous, as is only natural, but the initial testing has gone quite well and my uncle and I are looking at a June transplant date. I am his only relative who has been able to stand up and offer my kidney. As this kidney disease appears to be a genetic condition my brothers were not encouraged to donate. I want my uncle to be able to continue to be a father to his children. I want him to be able to live a long life with them and his wife. Please help me help my family. It will mean the world to me, to my uncle, his family and our extended family. Thank you so much for reading this far and taking the time to consider us. With much gratitude,

To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Midwest/West Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. If you would like to make a contribution please click the DONATE NOW button.

I appreciate your time and generosity, whether financial or just words of encouragement. Thank you for thinking of us.

Sincerely,

Leah Beth Good