Transplant Type - Kidney

Kisha was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease when her youngest child was two months old. For the next six years, the devoted wife and mother was able to manage her disease with diet and medication. Unfortunately, in 2004, her kidney function began to rapidly decline, and she was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Doctors say a kidney transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

Thankfully, Kisha's husband is a match and is eager to donate a kidney to save her life. However, she needs to have significant funding in place before she can undergo the procedure.

Kisha requires dialysis three times a week, and the procedure takes a toll on her quality of life. Her condition leaves her exhausted and unable to be the active wife and mother she would like to be. She continues to work four days a week because her family depends on her paycheck. Unfortunately, there are months where Kisha has to forego her medication to buy groceries.

Despite her struggles, Kisha has high hopes for the future. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will allow her to spend more time with her husband and three children. Once she has received her transplant, she would like to educate others about kidney disease and the importance of organ donation. But she needs your help.

A kidney transplant costs more than $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Kisha will face significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month--and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

It is estimated that in the short term, Kisha needs at least $25,000 just to cover her medical expenses. Kisha and Shane will be unable to work during the transplantation and recovery process, further adding to the family's growing financial strain.

Please help! Your gift to the NFT Pennsylvania Kidney Fund will enable us to assist Kisha with her transplant expenses. To make a secure online donation, please click on the link beneath Kisha's photo. If you prefer to mail your gift, please send it to NFT Pennsylvania Kidney Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Kisha Gibbs" in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Johns Hopkins Transplant Center