Michelle Benningfield

Michelle has been battling kidney disease since she was fourteen years old. In April of 2002 her mother, Wanda, gave Michelle her first kidney. It was hoped that the transplant would last many years; however, in the first several months after her transplant she had a bout with the Ecoli virus. A few years later she had a bout with the BK virus, which caused significant renal stress. Luckily, with the help of her doctors she was able to battle back. Several years later, Michelle is still battling for her life; enduring peritoneal dialysis for nine hours nightly as she awaits a second kidney transplant. The average wait for a kidney in the United States is three to five years depending on blood type.

Michelle’s amazing brother, Tommy was tested to become a kidney donor. Tommy was just four months old when Michelle first began to have kidney failure. He has stood by her through the years before and after her first transplant. It probably goes without saying that they are very close. Unfortunately, Tommy was not a donor match. And so, Michelle continues her wait. Hopefully, she will receive her new kidney soon.

Despite her failing health, Michelle remains active. Now she needs your help. Even with good insurance, the cost of uninsured transplant expenses can be overwhelming, for doctor and medicine co-payments, medical supplies, travel, and missed work (after sick leave is used up).

To help with some of these uninsured expenses a fundraising campaign in Michelle’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for over thirty years. All contributions are 100% tax deductible, and are held and administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant related expenses only.

For credit card contributions: please call 800-642-8399 or select the “Donate Now” button.

For check contributions: please make payable to: HelpHOPELive; note in the memo section: In honor of Michelle Benningfield; mail to: HelpHOPELive, Two Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA 19087.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

Wanda Benningfield
Mom and Fundraising Campaign Coordinator
972-803-1383,
[email protected].