05/03/2023
Dear Members of our Facebook Community,
I am reaching out to you again today as a pastor and a friend of Jill Lecar, a member of our congregation who is in need of a kidney transplant. As you may have read in her post, Jill's kidney disease has significantly impacted her quality of life, and she now needs a kidney transplant to live a healthy, full life.
As a community, I believe that we can come together to support Jill during this challenging time. I encourage you to read Jill's post and consider if there is anything you can do to help. If you are unable to donate a kidney, there are other ways you can support Jill, such as spreading awareness about living donation or offering your prayers and support.
I also want to remind everyone that organ donation is a selfless act of kindness that can save someone's life. If you have not already done so, please consider becoming an organ donor and sharing your wishes with your loved ones.
As a community, let us come together to support Jill and others in need. Together, we can make a difference and help those in need.
Sincerely,
Pastor Chris Syvertsen
Shoreline Vineyard Church
We would like to share this very special message from one of our members, Jill Lecar. Please share if you are able. Thank you!
Dear Friends,
Some of you may know that I have kidney disease which has gotten significantly worse over the past two years with my kidney function dropping from 40-50% to 10%. At this limited level of kidney function, I have very little energy and have difficulty concentrating. My treatment options are limited to either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, dialysis requires a draining regimen three times a week for four hours at a time. It will keep me alive, but it would also dramatically affect my life. A transplant offers the ability to live a longer, healthier, more active life, but finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Some people wait for years and may even die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor.
There’s no point in beating around the bush: I’m asking you to consider donating a kidney. Obviously it’s not an easy decision to make, but a living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function. It also eliminates the waiting time for this vital procedure. In short, it would give me a second chance to live a full life.
You might not know a lot about living donation - I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Here’s some basic information:
- You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life
- You do not have to be an exact match to me. The transplant center would coordinate a “paired kidney exchange”, also known as a “kidney swap”. This occurs when a living kidney donor is incompatible with their recipient, but does match another person on the waitlist. Two live donor transplants would occur.
- Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions
- The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks
- The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this
- You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for your best interest,
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 protected]. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NKF can also help.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney is something you would like to consider, you can contact my transplant center directly at 1-866-925-3897 to set up an initial screening and get more detailed information regarding the risks.
I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Please help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. Also consider being an organ donor after death. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation.
Thank you and God Bless,
Jill Lecar
