Melissa O’Connor

Help Melissa Get Her New Kidney!

Melissa O’Connor was a young 23-year-old mother of 2 beautiful children when she was first diagnosed with IGA nephropathy. IGA nephropathy is a kidney disease that ultimately results in the need for a kidney transplant. Melissa and her healthcare team have worked diligently, over the past 19 years, to slow the progression of her disease. Ten years ago, Melissa was classified at stage 4 of this illness however, her condition rapidly declined over the past few months. In May 2016, she was placed on the kidney transplant waiting list at Indiana University Hospital, in Indianapolis, Indiana. One month later, in June 2016, she was classified at end-stage renal failure.

During the entire disease progression, Melissa has continued to work, even going back to college and graduating as a medical assistant. You may have even seen her at one of your doctor’s offices. Until she receives a transplant, Melissa will be completely dependent on dialysis to keep her alive.

Melissa hopes to continue working while she awaits a suitable donor (approximately 3-5 years), in order to maintain health insurance and help support her family. Although she currently has health insurance, many of the expenses associated with dialysis, transplant, and maintenance are not covered and must be paid out-if-pocket: co-pays, anti-rejection medication, travel expenses, and much more. These expenses can become very costly, and can become financially devastating to a family.

To help with the financial burden of Melissa’s uninsured expenses, a funding campaign in her 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, and held by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.

For credit card contributions, please click the yellow Donate Now button.

Your support is critical to the overall success of Melissa’s struggle. Please know that your contribution counts. On behalf of Melissa, and the entire family, we thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Gratefully,
Nancy Andrews, mother
317.231.9876