08/24/2024
Dear friends, here is the heartfelt appeal of one of our dearest friends - Itszko:
"My friend, Margarita (Margie) has been suffering from kidney failure for the past 13 years due to IgA Nephropathy and Vasculitis. Since 2012 her condition has been worsening progressively and for the last 7 years she has been on dialysis.
Margie has reached a point, where she needs surgery every few months; weekly doctors’ appointments; and dialysis four times a week, to sustain her life. Each dialysis takes 4 hours and very often is filled with pain. Kidney failure and the medical treatment, are taking a heavy toll on Margie's life - she has no strength, constant pains, and nausea. Now her heart is failing being severely taxed by the dialysis treatments. Margie is unable neither to study nor to work.
Margie must be on a strict diet, eating only specific foods. Cheese, yogurt, any nuts, chocolate are limited because of high phosphorous levels. Avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, and many other fruits and veggies are severely restricted because of high potassium levels. Her consumption of liquids is limited to none even during hot summer days.
Regardless of her problems, she volunteers helping other people with kidney failure and fellow dialysis patients.
Unfortunately, even though all her close ones got tested, no one has the right blood group, which is B+ or 0.
Margie had helped others all of her life, but now she is in need of help. Good people, please let’s help her now, because soon it will be too late!
With gratitude:
Hristo Tonchev, Scientist"
