Michael Au

Please Help Me Get My Second Chance at Life

Family and friends of Michael Au are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. Michael has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for all contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

My name is Michael Au, and I’m asking for your help during one of the most difficult and humbling times of my life.

I was born with kidney problems and lost one of my kidneys when I was just 16 years old. Last year, my remaining kidney failed, and for the last two years I have been living on dialysis.

I live here in Las Cruces with my wife and our two daughters. I work full-time, and my wife is a teacher. We have always worked hard to provide for our family, but the costs of dialysis, medications, medical bills, travel, and everything that comes with this journey are overwhelming and have made it increasingly difficult to stay afloat.

Then, my prayers were answered and a miracle happened that gave me hope when I needed it most.

My best friend Michael Alvarez without me asking, got tested to see if he could donate a kidney to me—and by the grace of God, he is a match.

There are no words big enough to describe what that means to me. Michael is willing to undergo surgery and give a part of himself so that I can have the chance to live a longer healthier life, be there for my wife and daughters, and hopefully put dialysis behind me.

His selflessness is a gift I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Now we need help getting through the road ahead.

The transplant and recovery will bring medical expenses, medications, travel and lodging, and a period when my donor and I won’t be able to work. If possible I want us to focus on our healing and recovery without the fear of how we’re going to pay the bills.

Any amount you can give would mean more to my family than I can put into words. And if you aren’t able to donate, sharing our story and keeping us in your prayers is an incredible gift in itself.

Because of the incredible generosity and selflessness of Michael, I have hope for a second chance at life.

I want to be here for my wife.
I want to watch my daughters grow up.
I want to work, live, and enjoy the life I’ve fought so hard to keep.

I am deeply grateful for every donation, every share, every prayer, and every kind word. I will never forget the people who helped my family through this chapter.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping give me a chance at a second life.

With love, faith, and gratitude, God bless. Michael Au & Family

Family and friends of Michael Au are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. Michael has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.