Melissa Thomas

In 2011, Melissa Thomas, a 43 year-old wife and mother of four, was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys cannot function and eventually fail. PKD can also cause cysts to grow in other organs including the liver and pancreas, as well as heart problems, brain aneurysms and high blood pressure. In July of 2014, Melissa was diagnosed with end-stage-renal-disease as a result of her PKD, and she was referred for a kidney transplant. This lifesaving surgery is Melissa’s only hope for survival, and to resume a normal, healthy and active life as a loving mother and wife.

Melissa grew up in Enid, Oklahoma and continues to make it her home. She works hard for a local nonprofit advocating for abused children and doing invaluable work for families within her community. She has been at her job for over ten years, and continues to go to work each and every day, despite her illness. Melissa spends her free time with her four children and husband, who are committed to supporting her through her upcoming kidney transplant.

Transplants are lifesaving, but the costs are more than Melissa and her family can handle alone. Even with health insurance through her husband’s employer, the out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with a transplant and medications are staggering. These costs include co-pays and deductibles, travel expenses to the hospital, and temporary relocation after transplant. Melissa will also be required to take costly anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. These costs will mount up to more than $20,000, and Melissa needs your help.

To help with the financial burden of Melissa’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, 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, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Central Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.

Your prayers, support and generosity will help Melissa receive the gift of life through a kidney transplant. Melissa and her family are very hopeful and most grateful for any donation, no matter how big or small.

Gratefully,