Thomas Gave Kidney to Save a Life; Needs Our Help.
Donation protected
(Photo credit of Richard Gillard, Simi Valley Acorn, March 13, 2020 "A lifesaving gift from one resident to another.")
THERE IS A HERO AMONG US AND HE NEEDS OUR HELP!
Simi Valley resident Jill Abele, 54, has battled polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that leads to kidney failure, for 30 years. As her kidneys. continued to decline, family, friends and community members came together as "Team Jill," and rallied to find a living kidney donor who is compatible with Jill. After six months of searching, Thomas Herdering of Simi Valley was declared a match by doctors at UCLA and agreed to give Jill one of his kidneys.
Thomas, 56, was inspired to give the gift of life to Jill, as a way to honor his brother, who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. There is nothing he could do to help his brother, Thomas said, but he could help save someone else's life. He received the blessing from his wife and sons, and doctors began prepping Thomas and Jills for the upcoming surgeries.
The transplant was originally schedule for late April, but with the current Covid-19 crisis, doctors decided to move the date sooner, to Wednesday, April 8. Both are excited about the upcoming surgery, and they've been told that their recoveries should not be long.
Here's where the help is needed. Thomas supports his family. He has two sons still in school and the current coronavirus pandemic has affected his income. He's not worried about his health, but he is worried about his family's well-being while he takes the needed time from work to recover from his surgery.
Our amazing community of caring and generous neighbors can help Thomas to help Jill. No amount of money is too small to lift this incredible, kind man as Thomas fulfills his promise to a much beloved neighbor, Jill. Please give what you can and then share this campaign in every way you have available. Even if you can't give right now, sharing this campaign on your social media accounts and through word-of-mouth will help. Simi Valley CAN support Thomas's selfless act and Jill's brave and courageous fight to thrive.
Thank you.
Simi Valley Acorn article on Thomas and Jill
THERE IS A HERO AMONG US AND HE NEEDS OUR HELP!
Simi Valley resident Jill Abele, 54, has battled polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that leads to kidney failure, for 30 years. As her kidneys. continued to decline, family, friends and community members came together as "Team Jill," and rallied to find a living kidney donor who is compatible with Jill. After six months of searching, Thomas Herdering of Simi Valley was declared a match by doctors at UCLA and agreed to give Jill one of his kidneys.
Thomas, 56, was inspired to give the gift of life to Jill, as a way to honor his brother, who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. There is nothing he could do to help his brother, Thomas said, but he could help save someone else's life. He received the blessing from his wife and sons, and doctors began prepping Thomas and Jills for the upcoming surgeries.
The transplant was originally schedule for late April, but with the current Covid-19 crisis, doctors decided to move the date sooner, to Wednesday, April 8. Both are excited about the upcoming surgery, and they've been told that their recoveries should not be long.
Here's where the help is needed. Thomas supports his family. He has two sons still in school and the current coronavirus pandemic has affected his income. He's not worried about his health, but he is worried about his family's well-being while he takes the needed time from work to recover from his surgery.
Our amazing community of caring and generous neighbors can help Thomas to help Jill. No amount of money is too small to lift this incredible, kind man as Thomas fulfills his promise to a much beloved neighbor, Jill. Please give what you can and then share this campaign in every way you have available. Even if you can't give right now, sharing this campaign on your social media accounts and through word-of-mouth will help. Simi Valley CAN support Thomas's selfless act and Jill's brave and courageous fight to thrive.
Thank you.
Simi Valley Acorn article on Thomas and Jill
Organizer and beneficiary
Jake Finch
Organizer
Simi Valley, CA
Thomas Herdering
Beneficiary