Help Janet overcome Kidney Failure

Dear friends and family: We are reaching out to you on behalf of our cousin/niece, Janet Maasam, who is 25 years old and has just suffered near total kidney failure. Janet and her immediate family live in Tanzania, where the health infrastructure is limited, as are the resources of our extended family.

In July this year, Janet had just earned her master's degree in horticulture. As far as she knew, she was in perfectly good health, but two days before she was to start her first job, she started experiencing chest pain, swollen legs and extreme difficulty in breathing, which landed her in the emergency room. Doctors discovered her kidneys had sustained severe damage, with function reduced to only 10-15%. They are still investigating the cause, but it is very unlikely that the damage can be reversed.

Janet is now receiving dialysis 3 times a week, without which, doctors estimate she would have only 1 to 2 weeks to live. However, continued dialysis can support her struggling kidneys and give doctors time to assess the feasibility of a transplant.

The Janet we know, with a mischievous sparkle in her eye, a ready laugh, and so much energy to get things done, is hard to reconcile with the pictures her mother sends of her now, trying to give a smile. To be this young and facing a life so diminished, is impossible to wrap our minds around. We are thankful for each day we have Janet with us.

Janet's father died in a car accident 4 years ago. Her mother, also facing health challenges, is retired. Their weekly income in Tanzania amounts to about $200 USD, which is not enough to cover her weekly dialysis and tests, let alone support the family. Her health insurance does not cover dialysis services or further diagnosis. Janet's Nephrologist estimates she will need dialysis for at least 6 months, as her preparation and the search for a suitable transplant take time. During this period, her medical costs will include at least US$ 2,200 for 6 months of dialysis, and approximately US$ 25,000 for kidney donor search and transplant.

The cost estimate does not include after-transplant care and medications. We know that actual costs may rise, and that they would be many times higher for care in a developed country. We are keenly aware that medical bills and expenses will exhaust family income and savings within a month. We can only take some comfort in action, and hope that we can find some way to raise these funds.

It is for this reason we come to you for help. We would be deeply grateful for any contribution you can make. Your support means not just making a difference, but saving Janet's life. A successful kidney transplant could grant Janet 30 years or more of relatively normal life.

Equally important, your donation will enable the family to focus on care rather than medical bills. Thank you for considering our request for support, for your prayers and kind words, and for sharing this message.

Rebecca, Ian, Christine & Michael Trupin