A Kidney For Blake
Donation protected
Dear Family, Church Family & Friends,
As many of you, and some of you may not yet know, I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy (also known as Berger’s disease) last year. This is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This has resulted in my kidneys not being able to filter waste from my blood, which has now resulted into end-stage kidney failure. What does that mean? It means that I now require a kidney transplant.
I have been going to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as they are one of the few places that work with IgA Kidney failure in the US (as it is not a very common kidney disease in the States). I have been approved to have the transplant and we are now in the process of testing potential living donors. I am fortunate to have 7 siblings and the hope is that one of them will be a qualifying match. At this time, one of my brothers has traveled to Mayo and we thought he’d be the perfect match. We were all so very hopeful but come to find out, he has a “spongey kidney” which is not a problem for him but for me, it would be. So now we are hoping that Mayo will test the next qualified sibling soon, and hopefully with better results. If none of my siblings qualify, possibly my wife or extended family/friends would be willing to donate. I know I’m blessed by those around me and am consistently amazed by others generosity. I am hopeful.
My wife and I were really hoping to have the transplant before the end of this year. I’m not sure that will happen at this point, with still needing to find a living donor. I do know that our expenses are piling up. Being in Louisiana, and having to travel (potential donors as well) to Minnesota for testing, eventual transplant, housing, medical expenses, etc… plus not having worked since April of this year due to my health, our financial situation is tough to say the least. At the advice of others, and completely against my nature, I have set up this gofundme account for those that have asked about how they can help us.
At this point, we don’t know exactly how much everything will cost. Mayo did give us a financial spread sheet with estimated costs, plus add in that of lodging for a month, meals, anti-rejection medication, as well as expenses for the donor and caregiver, and medical expenses not covered by insurance. We decided to try & raise about 10% of the estimation ($300,000) – so we are shooting for $30,000. If you would be willing to partner with us to help with some of these expenses, please know that it is greatly appreciated. The funds will only go towards genuine medical needs and we thank you in advance.
If you’d like to find out how to possibly become a living kidney donor, you can go to http://www.livingdonormc.org/ - click Kidney donor, then click Mayo Clinic Minnesota, then filling out the questionnaire and naming (Blake Bernard – 03/10/69) as the recipient is the first step. After you fill out the questionnaire, someone may call you within a week and go over it with you. They will then let you know if you are approved, put on hold or denied. If approved, they will let you know the next step in determining if you’d be a match or not. Also, all of this is confidential. We are not told anything by Mayo.
Another way to help is by spreading this message far and wide. You can post it on social media, e-mail to family & friends, etc… The more people that know, the better chance there is of finding a living kidney donor. The goal is to find that amazing and generous person who is willing and wanting to be a kidney donor. And PRAY. “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” ~Matthew 21:22
I want you to know how much I appreciate your help and support during this challenging journey that myself, my wife & 2 boys are on. Thank you for taking the time to read through all of this. Words cannot express how grateful and blessed I am.
Thank you and God bless.
~Blake Bernard
As many of you, and some of you may not yet know, I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy (also known as Berger’s disease) last year. This is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This has resulted in my kidneys not being able to filter waste from my blood, which has now resulted into end-stage kidney failure. What does that mean? It means that I now require a kidney transplant.
I have been going to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as they are one of the few places that work with IgA Kidney failure in the US (as it is not a very common kidney disease in the States). I have been approved to have the transplant and we are now in the process of testing potential living donors. I am fortunate to have 7 siblings and the hope is that one of them will be a qualifying match. At this time, one of my brothers has traveled to Mayo and we thought he’d be the perfect match. We were all so very hopeful but come to find out, he has a “spongey kidney” which is not a problem for him but for me, it would be. So now we are hoping that Mayo will test the next qualified sibling soon, and hopefully with better results. If none of my siblings qualify, possibly my wife or extended family/friends would be willing to donate. I know I’m blessed by those around me and am consistently amazed by others generosity. I am hopeful.
My wife and I were really hoping to have the transplant before the end of this year. I’m not sure that will happen at this point, with still needing to find a living donor. I do know that our expenses are piling up. Being in Louisiana, and having to travel (potential donors as well) to Minnesota for testing, eventual transplant, housing, medical expenses, etc… plus not having worked since April of this year due to my health, our financial situation is tough to say the least. At the advice of others, and completely against my nature, I have set up this gofundme account for those that have asked about how they can help us.
At this point, we don’t know exactly how much everything will cost. Mayo did give us a financial spread sheet with estimated costs, plus add in that of lodging for a month, meals, anti-rejection medication, as well as expenses for the donor and caregiver, and medical expenses not covered by insurance. We decided to try & raise about 10% of the estimation ($300,000) – so we are shooting for $30,000. If you would be willing to partner with us to help with some of these expenses, please know that it is greatly appreciated. The funds will only go towards genuine medical needs and we thank you in advance.
If you’d like to find out how to possibly become a living kidney donor, you can go to http://www.livingdonormc.org/ - click Kidney donor, then click Mayo Clinic Minnesota, then filling out the questionnaire and naming (Blake Bernard – 03/10/69) as the recipient is the first step. After you fill out the questionnaire, someone may call you within a week and go over it with you. They will then let you know if you are approved, put on hold or denied. If approved, they will let you know the next step in determining if you’d be a match or not. Also, all of this is confidential. We are not told anything by Mayo.
Another way to help is by spreading this message far and wide. You can post it on social media, e-mail to family & friends, etc… The more people that know, the better chance there is of finding a living kidney donor. The goal is to find that amazing and generous person who is willing and wanting to be a kidney donor. And PRAY. “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” ~Matthew 21:22
I want you to know how much I appreciate your help and support during this challenging journey that myself, my wife & 2 boys are on. Thank you for taking the time to read through all of this. Words cannot express how grateful and blessed I am.
Thank you and God bless.
~Blake Bernard
Organizer
Michelle LeDoux Bernard
Organizer
Choudrant, LA