Julie's Journey to a New Kidney

11/23/2022

Update on Julie.
Unfortunately, Julie has become very weak. Along with her kidney issues, her liver also started failing and she has an infection. Everything has progressed so quickly and the doctors tried everything they could, but she is tired. She has been moved to hospice care and is resting comfortably.

We appreciate all of you who helped to share her story and tried to get her a kidney. Please don’t stop trying to help others in her position. Please sign up to be an organ donor, if you can.

Be thankful for those in your life who are there for the highs but also through the lows. Celebrate each day with those you love. 🧡

11/03/2022

Quick update: Julie has had a major setback and has been placed on hold for a transplant. In September, she was hospitalized with pneumonia. This wreaked havoc on her body and spirits. Please pray that Julie finds comfort and strength during her struggle to get herself back to a point where she can be eligible for a transplant. 🧡

Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, cards, and meals! We appreciate it!

09/07/2022

It has been a while since we've posted which is unfortunately because we have had a rough few months. Julie was temporarily taken off both kidney transplant lists because she had a cardiac episode. Thankfully, after a lot of testing, no damage was found. However, this caused some major issues with her medications.

Julie can use some prayers as she struggles with these new medicine interactions until a good balance is found.

06/01/2022

Back at Northwestern for a check-in. Thank you all for the continued love and support! 🧡

04/11/2022

https://www.donatelife.net/types-of-donation/kidney-donation/

Over 100,000 adults and children in the United States are waiting for a new kidney. Learn more about kidney donation at Donate Life America.

04/05/2022

If you are a candidate through UW-Madison and the Kidney exchange program, you can donate as a Standard Voucher donor.

" By choosing to donate as a Standard Voucher donor, you will receive the following support and protections:

- You can help more than one person with your kidney donation.
- You will be prioritized for a living donor kidney if you ever need a kidney transplant.
- You will be eligible for lost wage reimbursement.
- You will be eligible for travel and lodging reimbursement.
- You will receive a donor life insurance policy.
- You will receive a donor disability insurance policy.
- You will have access to legal support.
- You will be covered for uncovered complications.
- You will be eligible for travel, lodging, and lost wage reimbursement for complications.
- You can schedule your kidney donation surgery when it is convenient for you.
- You can donate close to your home. You do not need to donate at the center where the transplant recipient is located.
- You will improve the odds of your intended recipient getting a better match."

More info here:

National Kidney Registry, Improving the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed and number of living donor transplants

04/05/2022

April is National Donate Life Month! 💙💚 This year we hope you join us to share the message to "Bee a Donor!" For 2022, we were inspired by the vital role that bees play in sustaining life. Bees are a small but powerful life force, working together with dedication, collaboration and a strong sense of community. 🐝 We hope you join us this bee-autiful month to honor all donors, registered donors, donor families, recipients, caregivers, and the more than 100,000 people waiting for a second chance at life.
Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org or in your iPhone Health App. Buzz over to DonateLife.net/NDLM for more resources & information!

04/04/2022

Happy Spring! Welcome to our new friends! We are trying to spread the word to help Julie get a kidney!

Please think about signing up to see if you are a match for Julie but also for any of the other people who are currently awaiting a kidney donation.

UW-Madison Donor form: https://uwhealthtransplant.donorscreen.org/register/now
More info on the National Kidney Registry: https://www.kidneyregistry.org

03/16/2022

Have questions about being a donor? UW-Madison is part of the National Kidney registry which provides extra protections for the living donor.

It also gives recipients better chances at finding the perfect match through a donor swap program. If willing, donors who sign up to donate to Julie, will be entered into the swap program to give both Julie and other recipients better matched kidneys.

Want more info? Find it here: https://www.donor-shield.org

Want to sign up to donate: https://uwhealthtransplant.donorscreen.org/register/now

Learn about the Donor Shield Program, which offers living donor support and protections to make the kidney donation process easier, safer and more convenient.

03/15/2022

Even if you filled out the donor for for Northwestern, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fill out the donor form for UW-Madison as well. Their criteria is different for a donor and they are part of the National Kidney Registry.

"The National Kidney Registry is dedicated to increasing the number of kidney transplants from living donors, improving donor-recipient matches for longer-lasting transplants, and offering protection and support to living kidney donors to make the kidney donation process safer, easier and more convenient."

UW-Madison Donor form: https://uwhealthtransplant.donorscreen.org/register/now

More info on the National Kidney Registry: https://www.kidneyregistry.org

03/15/2022

03/13/2022

Tomorrow is a big day for Julie: She will travel to Wisconsin to get put on the Kidney transplant list at the University of Madison.

Why?
- Each transplant center has their own list for their patients that gives them "first dibs" on matching kidneys that become available within 250 miles of the center.

Please keep her in your thoughts tomorrow and SHARE SHARE SHARE so we can find her a kidney!

🧡