Transplant Type - Kidney

We are thrilled to report that Jorge Luis received his lifesaving transplant in March 2010 and is recovering well.

When Jorge Luis was born in Colombia, he was diagnosed with congenital kidney problems, including bilateral ureteral disorder. When he was just 1 year old, he underwent two surgeries attempting to cure his disorder. For many years, Jorge Luis lived a healthy life, but began to gain unexplained weight when he was 17.

After visiting his doctor, he learned his creatinine levels were too high, which was affecting his kidneys. His doctor performed surgery to treat the ureter reflux, but discovered Jorge's kidneys were very weak and not functioning properly. He saw a nephrology specialist who gave him shocking news. Jorge Luis needed a kidney transplant, or would have been forced to rely on dialysis treatments for the rest of his life. While awaiting his transplant, he endured dialysis treatments three times a week, which greatly affected his quality of life.

Jorge Luis is thankful for the love and support from his family. Both his father and mother were tested to be his donors, and his father was a match. Jorge Luis' father donated one of his own kidneys to save his son's life.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Jorge Luis faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he 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 his survival as the transplant itself.

Jorge Luis' father is the primary provider for the family, although Jorge Luis does work as much as his health will allow. The financial burden of the transplant will be substantial, as both Jorge Luis and his father must take time off work for the surgery and recovery, adding to their financial strain.

They will also incur expenses for travel because Jorge Luis lives more than two hours away from the transplant center at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

You can help.
To make a donation to NFT in honor of Jorge Luis, click the link below his photo. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT North Carolina Kidney Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Jorge Luis Torres" on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Carolinas Medical Center