Let’s Give Tammy a Better Life!

My name is Michelle & as many of you know I have a younger sister Tammy who has been weathering hurdles and obstacles nearly her entire life, since she was 15 years old to be exact. In 1994 Tammy went into Cardiac Arrest after being misdiagnosed. Having nearly died, she was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure. Our Family has zero History of Kidney Disease.

After being on Dialysis for 3 years and 2 months, Tammy received her 1st Kidney Transplant in 1997 through a Cadaver Donation, which functioned for 6 years. She had many bouts of acute rejection from her weakened immune system….flu, viral meningitis & more. In 2003, it was clear Tammy was in Rejection and would need to go back on Dialysis.

1998, 1 year after Tammy’s 1st transplant, I her sister Michelle, was in a horrific car accident on Interstate 80, in which I was broadsided in my drivers door from a truck on the other side of the highway. I received physical rehab for 4 years. Permanent damage to my left kidney….I would never be able to donate to my sister!

2004, my Mother Helen, searched high and low for a solution to become a donor for Tammy after being told she couldn’t b/c of Tammy’s high level of antibodies. Mayo Clinic assured us they could employ a cutting-edge technology via plasmapheresis to remove Tammy’s antibodies that cause tissue rejection. 2005 Tammy received her 2nd kidney from our Mother. Our Father Frank was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Again more obstacles & hurdles, but somehow she made it into 10 years with Helen’s kidney.

2015, Tammy again went into Rejection, 6 months before we lost our Mother on June 17, 2016.

Fast forward to now 2024. We tragically lost both of our parents, Frank May 12, 2020. They were the Rocks on every level through this. Tammy is now in her 8th year on dialysis. Dialysis is so exhausting on the body. She is on machines 3x a week for over 4 hours. She has had over 20 surgeries, the latest being this December.

The medical costs between Doctors, Surgeries, Medications, small procedures, Hospitals, Clinics & more, makes it impossible to have viable income to support sustainable day to day living

Tammy needs another transplant which will cost over a million. Insurance does cover a portion, but nothing near what could be considered affordable for Tammy. I promised my Father that I would not let him down and I would be there for Tammy. I have never asked for help, but since losing my parents, I am asking for help for my sister. I can’t do this on my own! Tammy has a heart of gold, is so kind and giving & never complains. We appreciate, are thankful and grateful for anyone wanting to help.