Kidney/pancreas transplant
Donation protected
Hard working, strong, loving, family oriented and eager to live, that is my cousin Raul “Bambi” Salinas. He was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico and raised in La Mesa, New Mexico. He is happily married to Kimberly Salinas and has a son, Raul Jr. Salinas. Bambi has a heart of gold, despite any challenges he faces he is always the one that makes everyone laugh, he is always willing to help others and keeps the family going. Bambi is a very proud father; his happiness revolves around seeing his son play football and spending time with family.
Bambi was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 27 years ago. From that day forward his life changed. Many people believe that insulin might be the cure for Type 1 diabetes, but that is not the cure. Unfortunately there are many complications that come with Type 1 diabetes such as eye problems, nerve problems and kidney failure. Some of these have been inevitable and despite the many challenges Bambi has learned to adapt because of his strong will to live and be part of his son’s life and be there for his wife and family. As many Type 1 diabetes complications, his kidneys began to fail and currently he is at the end stage of kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
To stay alive, Bambi has to take multiple injections daily and continually infuse insulin through a pump. He has been going through dialysis for three years. Now he has to go three times per week to stay alive along with carefully monitoring his food and insulin intake to avoid high or low blood sugar reactions because they can be life threatening. Bambi has been on the kidney transplant waiting list for four years.
During the week of September 5-9, 2016 Bambi traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona to meet with doctors and undergo the many kidney transplant testing required. During his visit he was given the news that he had been patiently waiting for many years. The doctors were thrilled to let him know that he was a good candidate for a kidney/pancreas transplant. This transplant is an opportunity to live, a chance to be part of his son’s life as he reaches his dreams.
This is a very complex and costly procedure that will be taking place at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. His co-payment for the procedure alone will be $8,000. This does not include all the travel and follow up appointments in Phoenix, Arizona. Bambi is currently on disability, but because of his amazing heart of gold and his willingness to live he continues to work part time as a caregiver. I ask for your support in our efforts to raise money and provide my cousin Bambi an opportunity to live.
Bambi was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 27 years ago. From that day forward his life changed. Many people believe that insulin might be the cure for Type 1 diabetes, but that is not the cure. Unfortunately there are many complications that come with Type 1 diabetes such as eye problems, nerve problems and kidney failure. Some of these have been inevitable and despite the many challenges Bambi has learned to adapt because of his strong will to live and be part of his son’s life and be there for his wife and family. As many Type 1 diabetes complications, his kidneys began to fail and currently he is at the end stage of kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
To stay alive, Bambi has to take multiple injections daily and continually infuse insulin through a pump. He has been going through dialysis for three years. Now he has to go three times per week to stay alive along with carefully monitoring his food and insulin intake to avoid high or low blood sugar reactions because they can be life threatening. Bambi has been on the kidney transplant waiting list for four years.
During the week of September 5-9, 2016 Bambi traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona to meet with doctors and undergo the many kidney transplant testing required. During his visit he was given the news that he had been patiently waiting for many years. The doctors were thrilled to let him know that he was a good candidate for a kidney/pancreas transplant. This transplant is an opportunity to live, a chance to be part of his son’s life as he reaches his dreams.
This is a very complex and costly procedure that will be taking place at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. His co-payment for the procedure alone will be $8,000. This does not include all the travel and follow up appointments in Phoenix, Arizona. Bambi is currently on disability, but because of his amazing heart of gold and his willingness to live he continues to work part time as a caregiver. I ask for your support in our efforts to raise money and provide my cousin Bambi an opportunity to live.
Organizer and beneficiary
Raul AndKim Salinas
Organizer
Las Cruces, NM
Raul Salinas
Beneficiary