Nicole Berghorst Kidney Transplant
Donation protected
Nicole is in need of a kidney transplant. Her medical bills are already astronomical with deductibles, co-pays & medications. Now with the kidney transplant, hopefully in the very near future, she will need to take life-long, very costly, anti-rejection medications on a daily basis. If a living donor is not found, there is a possibility Nicole will need to go on dialysis. This would result in more medical costs. Any donation you can give will help ease the stress and burden for Nicole.
Here is Nicole’s story she has recently shared:
**As many of you may know, I have had a rough go since they start of 2018. I truly do believe God does not put you through anything you can’t handle.
Many of you know my story of my hospitalization in January that led me to find out I had Lupus nephritis. Lupus is an auto immune disorder in which my immune system attacks my organs. We learned the beginning of this year my lupus had caused kidney disease which has resulted in blood draws every other week, a shot every other week to control my hemoglobin, and many medications taken on a daily basis.
On May 16, my family and I learned the news that I was in stage 4 kidney failure. While dialysis has been talked about, my doctor has referred me to get a transplant. I waited for about 6 weeks before finally receiving the phone call to begin the approval process to be put on the transplant list. Today, August 2, I had my first long 6-hour appointment and learned that finding a kidney donor is no easy thing to do. There are over 100,000+ people on the waiting list for a deceased donor with a wait list of 5-7 years.
Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. My family will be tested to see if they are a match since a living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.
You might not know a lot about living donation - I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or [email redacted]
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center directly at (616)-685-5187.
However, I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Consider being an organ donor after death and also, help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list.
Thank you for bearing with me and all for your support through all of this. It means more than you will ever know! ❤️**
Here is Nicole’s story she has recently shared:
**As many of you may know, I have had a rough go since they start of 2018. I truly do believe God does not put you through anything you can’t handle.
Many of you know my story of my hospitalization in January that led me to find out I had Lupus nephritis. Lupus is an auto immune disorder in which my immune system attacks my organs. We learned the beginning of this year my lupus had caused kidney disease which has resulted in blood draws every other week, a shot every other week to control my hemoglobin, and many medications taken on a daily basis.
On May 16, my family and I learned the news that I was in stage 4 kidney failure. While dialysis has been talked about, my doctor has referred me to get a transplant. I waited for about 6 weeks before finally receiving the phone call to begin the approval process to be put on the transplant list. Today, August 2, I had my first long 6-hour appointment and learned that finding a kidney donor is no easy thing to do. There are over 100,000+ people on the waiting list for a deceased donor with a wait list of 5-7 years.
Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. My family will be tested to see if they are a match since a living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.
You might not know a lot about living donation - I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or [email redacted]
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center directly at (616)-685-5187.
However, I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Consider being an organ donor after death and also, help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list.
Thank you for bearing with me and all for your support through all of this. It means more than you will ever know! ❤️**
Organizer and beneficiary
Jodi Smith
Organizer
Comstock Park, MI
Nicole Berghorst
Beneficiary