Terrance McEvoy

My name is Terrance McEvoy and I am 55 years old and have been married to my loving wife Angela for 15 years.  We are empty-nesters who have 3 sons between us and our lives were drastically changed on January 4, 2023, when my kidneys suddenly failed and I had to begin dialysis treatments.  I was diagnosed with end stage renal disease (Stage V) which means my kidneys can no longer function on their own to filter waste and excess fluids from my body.  In order to be able to live a quality life again I need to have a kidney transplant.  I have chosen to raise money for the nonprofit Hope Help Live to fund out-of-pocket medical, travel, relocation and other expenses associated with a Transplant. Donations to Hope Help Live are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

In 2016, I made the difficult decision to give up my role as a soccer referee, instructor, administrator and volunteer mentor because my energy level and stamina had started to decline.  During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, there was limited access to medical care and I was unable to get in to see my cardiologist who had prescribed medications for my a-fib.  The lack of access to proper medical care and the side effects of some of these prescriptions are what I believe caused damage to my kidneys.  By 2020, I had to go on disability from my full-time job in sales, installation, and repair of industrial quilting and embroidery machines.  Going from a full-time job, a part-time job and volunteering to being disabled was hard for me to accept because I have always been a huge proponent of working hard and doing more for others than you do for yourself.  I truly miss soccer and mentoring new and young referees, looking out for them and helping them to advance as referees and achieve their goals. 

The hardest things I have had to endure since starting dialysis 3 years ago are multiple hospitalizations, feeling weak and unwell most of the time and not being able to do things  with my wife.  Dialysis keeps me alive but it has greatly reduced the quality of our lives as a couple. Treatments are non-negotiable, three times per week, and take four to five hours each.  In addition to losing 12-15 hours of my life each week for the treatments themselves, I also lose several hours afterwards just due to pure exhaustion.   Each treatment also involves getting stuck by an insanely large needle in my arm in a room surrounded by other dialysis patients so privacy is non-existent.   Most days I am able to drive myself to and from my treatments, but some days due to my blood pressure being too low, I have to rely on my family for transportation to and from the clinic.  If too much fluid is removed from my body during a treatment, it’s a trip to the E.R. and usually an overnight stay in the hospital only to have to go back again for dialysis the day after discharge from the hospital.  These trips to the E.R. and hospital stays are so difficult because I hate to see my wife going through the emotional and physical stress of seeing me so weak. 

If I am approved by the transplant team for a kidney transplant, my surgery will take place at a hospital which is 250 miles round trip from our home.  My wife, who is my caregiver, and I will be required to make multiple trips to and from the transplant hospital and clinic.   We will also be required to temporarily relocate for the surgery and post-surgery appointments and education for approximately 6 weeks which means my wife will have to take time off from work.  The transplant team requires us to both stay nearby in the event of any complications.  In addition to the costs associated with the transportation and housing for relocation for the surgery, I will have out-of-pocket costs for my deductibles and post-transplant prescriptions.  I am hoping to raise enough funds so that we do not have additional stress and can focus on healing post-surgery.

After my transplant what I will be most thankful for will be feeling good and having a quality life again.  Being free to go anywhere and be able to do whatever activities my wife and I want to do again.   I would love to be able to go out to dinner, to attend church, attend sporting and other events and one day, God willing, be able to travel to visit  our kids and play with future grandkids.  I love giving gifts to Angela and the best gift I could ever hope to give her would be no more dialysis treatments which means quality time together again.  I would also love to one day feel well enough to get back to work and also possibly return to mentoring soccer referees.

Thank you for taking time to read my story and for your interest in doing what you can to help.   There are many ways you can offer support to help make my transplant possible.  You can donate directly to Help Hope Live in my honor and those donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.  If you have any ideas for or want to help organize a fundraising event, please e-mail Angela at [email protected] .  Please share this page and my story and ask your friends and family to donate. 

Bless you for supporting and helping with Hope for A Kidney and Renewed Life for Terrance. .