Sharleen Smith

As many of you know, for 30 years Sharleen battled Type-1 insulin-dependent diabetes which led to a deteriorating kidney condition. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, and began home dialysis seven days a week. Sharleen was told that her only chance for survival was to have a kidney/pancreas transplant.

Sharleen has a beautiful soul; she is good friend and neighbor to many, a caring mother, much-loved piano teacher, voice coach and gifted choir director. She has openly shared her musical talent and clever sense of humor throughout the years–making us laugh and enriching our lives in many ways. Now she needs our help.

Even while undergoing the evaluation process at the Mayo Clinic, Sharleen continued to work two jobs. She was approved for her transplant and placed on the active transplant waiting list. In February, Sharleen received her gift-of-life – a kidney/pancreas transplant. It has been quite a journey and it’s not over yet.

The good news is that she is no longer diabetic and for that we can together rejoice. The bad news is that a transplant is life-saving, but very expensive. Even with insurance, Sharleen has many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and temporary housing at the transplant center and the costly anti-rejection medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life (one medication alone is $1300/month and twice she has had to pay this bill as her deductible was not met).

To help with some of these uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in Sharleen’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Northwest Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. If you are able to make a contribution today. please click the DONATE NOW bar.

It isn’t easy to ask for assistance, but funding Sharleen’s transplant is a difficult challenge and she needs your help. Your financial gifts and prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Leigh Skiles (Sharleen’s friend)