Lauren+Karen's Kidney Kampaign

It’s Official!  August 17th is the date!  For those of you who may not know, I found out late last year that I am in need of a kidney transplant. I have a condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). This condition is the most common kidney ailment there is and often goes undiagnosed or without affecting one’s life expectancy.  Unfortunately, my kidney function has dropped to 15%, which is considered kidney failure.  This is a genetic disorder, so my sisters and children are not able to be donors, but I am so thankful for their love and support every step of this journey.  Fortunately, I also have some really amazing friends.  In fact, not one, but TWO of my closest girlfriends immediately volunteered to be tested for donor eligibility. If that doesn’t tell you just how lucky I am, I would like to tell you more about my friend and heroine Karen Papi. 

 

A heroine is a woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities. Karen would be embarrassed by such an acknowledgement, which is why I want you to know about her.    Karen and I met on her first day at Allonhill.  We talked about what part of town we each lived in and I asked her if she lived in Aberdeen Village because we were looking at a house for sale, about 4 houses away from hers.  We ultimately purchased that home (where we still live today) and Karen and I have become great friends with the added bonus of being neighbors. 

 

Karen has graciously and selflessly agreed to be my living donor.  This means that she will undergo elective surgery with me on August 17th and donate one of her kidneys to me. A kidney is a vital organ to human life. How do you ever repay someone for that kind of gift?  “Thank you” does not begin to describe the depth of my appreciation and gratitude for such a gift.  It truly is the gift of life and a second chance.   She is donating because she is an unbelievably caring person and has the biggest heart.  She is not seeking any acknowledgement, reward, or financial gain in doing this.

 

Many of you have asked and offered to help and I have finally figured out how you can.  I have set up a GoFundMe to help Karen and her family while she is unable to work.  Our plan is that these funds are used in place of the income Karen will not be able to earn while recovering.   She does not have short-term disability insurance nor is she able to take Paid Time Off for the full duration of her recovery, which, for this kind of surgery can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks.

 

Anything you can give is appreciated, even if it is just words of encouragement.  Again, our plan is that these funds are used in place of the income Karen will not be able to earn while recovering…that’s it.  Nothing extra or a windfall, just enough so Karen does not incur financial hardship while giving of herself so selflessly.  Once Karen is back at work, any additional funds remaining we intend on paying forward to other living donors whose needs would fall into the same category. 

 

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers!  We love you!