This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson takes on a new, even more powerful meaning when the consequence of prolonging kindness is life. That life belongs to Joanna Collins, and she needs your help.
The doctors say the time is coming – Joanna will soon reach stage 4 kidney failure. Could you be her living donor? We get it – it’s tough to imagine an act of kindness so great for someone you’ve never met. Allow us to put a face to the name. Joanna Collins is 49 years young, the daughter of Jim and Marilyn who all love to travel together, and exudes joy and kindness in every interaction. Joanna needs a kidney as a result of her Alport’s Syndrome diagnosis – a genetic kidney disease that has caused her kidneys to go into stage four kidney failure.
For Joanna, a living donor would provide the fastest, best-suited kidney as opposed to spending what could possibly be years on the transplant list. A living donor would mean peace of mind and better long-term kidney function. To Joanna, her family, her friends, and the many that love her – this incredible act of kindness, a living kidney donor, would mean her life.
We are asking that you share Joanna’s story, that you help us on our journey to find a #Kidney4Joanna. If you can consider helping Joanna and quite possibly saving her life, you should know:
– The 14th Dalai Lama
Joanna Collins Needs Your Help.
The doctors say the time is coming – Joanna will soon reach stage 4 kidney failure. Could you be her living donor? We get it – it’s tough to imagine an act of kindness so great for someone you’ve never met. Allow us to put a face to the name. Joanna Collins is 49 years young, the daughter of Jim and Marilyn who all love to travel together, and exudes joy and kindness in every interaction. Joanna needs a kidney as a result of her Alport’s Syndrome diagnosis – a genetic kidney disease that has caused her kidneys to go into stage four kidney failure.
For Joanna, a living donor would provide the fastest, best-suited kidney as opposed to spending what could possibly be years on the transplant list. A living donor would mean peace of mind and better long-term kidney function. To Joanna, her family, her friends, and the many that love her – this incredible act of kindness, a living kidney donor, would mean her life.
We are asking that you share Joanna’s story, that you help us on our journey to find a #Kidney4Joanna. If you can consider helping Joanna and quite possibly saving her life, you should know:
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
Hi friends & family!
If you haven’t heard – we’ve launched a campaign to help us find a #Kidney2SaveJo. As she nears stage 4 kidney failure, the need for a living donor is growing closer and closer. We will keep you posted when potential donors can begin testing, but for now, we have another ask.
Can you help us spread the word? We’re on social media, we have a website, and we could really use the manpower to get some attention. We’ve provided links below to our pages. If you can, please consider following and sharing. We are so appreciative of all of your love and support while we embark on this journey to find Jo a living kidney donor.
Thank you!
Help us share Jo’s journey on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow Jo’s journey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Interested in donating your kidney to save Jo? We ask that you donate on your own schedule through the kidney voucher program. By doing so, you will be saving TWO lives by donating one kidney.
Once approved, you will be matched by blood and tissue to one of the 80,000 people waiting for a kidney. That person will receive a life changing phone call. Your recipient can be in another state – they fly the kidney there, not you or the recipient.
After you donate, you will receive a voucher that you can designate to Joanna who receives PRIORITY standing when she needs a kidney. The current wait time with a voucher is 3 months as opposed to 8 years without one.
Here is how the process works:
1) Go to the national kidney register: https://www.kidneyregistry.org/.
2) Scroll down to the big red box at the bottom and click on “I am considering donating my kidney”.
3) You will fill out an extensive medical screening report.
4) After a few days, you will choose a hospital center (it can be anywhere in the country).
5) Through that hospital you will begin the screening process.
There is NO commitment until the day of the surgery. Also, there is no charge to you or to your insurance and travel expenses or lost wages can be reimbursed.
When you start the process and designate Joanna, you will be asked to list her Date of Birth, which is 02/04/1973.
Learning about Living Organ Donations is a great way to start supporting the transplant community. Here are a few resources to get you started:
* The informational links above are provided from the National Kidney Foundation , American Kidney Fund, HSRA: OrganDonor.Gov, United Network for Organ Sharing and the University of Michigan Transplant Center.
– Barbara De Angelis
Please use the contact form below with any questions you may have!