Eric's Kidney Transplant Fund
In March of 2015 Eric was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
He was 37 years old.
After enduring lasting abdominal pain, he ended up in the ER one Saturday morning with kidney failure. It took a week of testing, a week of waiting and anticipating, before the doctor delivered the dreaded diagnosis to his family. It shook them to the core. How could this young, seemingly healthy, happy father of two have a blood cancer? The cancer had already torn through his body. He had failing kidneys, off the charts calcium levels, tumors in his thigh bones and ribs, plus fractures in his vertebrae.
It was going to be a long road.
He began dialysis and treatments for the cancer immediately. These things have their own set of side effects, and he has experienced various levels of pain and discomfort throughout the process. Despite it all he has continued, to this day, to work 40+ hour work weeks and still be an amazing father and husband.
Finally things started looking up. Eric had a stem cell transplant that boosted stabilized his kidneys enough that he was able to stop the dialysis, and thanks to a drug called Venetoclax, the Myeloma went into remission.
In 2019 his kidneys started failing once again.
So, three times a week for four hours at a time, he is in the dialysis unit.
He now needs a transplant and his ‘little’ brother Chris is a perfect tissue match.
This life saving procedure has to take place at Mass General in Boston, MA in December of 2021. Eric lives in MI, and Chris lives in NC. This requires a substantial time and financial commitment that majorly impacts their lives.
Eric will need to stay for several months. Chris, who is self-employed, will need to be off work without income for his family of four for a total of two months. There are travel and housing expenses that continue to add up.
The totals are overwhelming.
We are asking that you consider being a part of this gift.
For these families, this holiday season will not be about what’s under the tree, but about the
gift of life from one brother to another.