From Stratford Daily Voice, CT, by Donna Christopher and Karen Tensa
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- A former high school guidance counselor from Fairfield needs a kidney soon to replace her failing two.
Margaret Karbovanec has an inherited condition known as polycystic kidney disease.
She recently started a Facebook page and website to appeal to the public for help finding a live donor.
Meanwhile, Karbovanec continues to be on two deceased donor lists, one at Yale-New Haven Hospital and one at New York Presbyterian.
Between the two, she could potentially receive a kidney in as little as five years or up to 15 years.
"That might be too long," said Karbovanec who though not on dialysis yet, has only 13 percent of her own kidney function left.
"I have Stage 4 kidney disease. My doctors say it's better to receive a live donor kidney. I follow a very strict diet and try to stay healthy with walking and other ways."
Retired from Bunnell High School in Stratford Karbovanec was also an elementary school teacher in her career.
Today she enjoys bridge, travel, reading, cooking and has a full life, she said.
"I loved my career and love my life now. I want to get a kidney and continue with it," she said.
Turning to social media was a big step for this "very private person."
For a long time I didn't tell anyone I have kidney disease," she said. "I didn't use Facebook. I want people to know they can live with one kidney. If I get one they won't take the other two out, just add the third."
Karbovanec's mother had the same inherited kidney disease, but the relatives on "the other side" of her family had longevity.
"Since retiring I helped my elderly aunts, 102 and 104. I'm hoping to get rid of this problem and get on with my life."
Click here for Margaret Karbovanec's Facebook page and here for her website.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — It's not a typical ad plastered on the side of the Max train. The headline: "My brother needs a kidney."
"It was the most effective thing we could imagine," said Barry Maynard. His adult son Jim suffers from polycystic kidney disease. Something that runs in the family.
Seventeen years ago Maynard donated his kidney to his wife. Now, his son is in need.
Maynard said they took a chance with the ad and it was promising at first.
"We had a flurry of responses," said Maynard.
He said nearly 25 people inquired. Ultimately, the donors fell through for one reason or another.
Then the family got another setback. Jim came down with pneumonia this winter.
"And that really took him down, and it failed rather rapidly after that," said Maynard.
Jim's scheduled for surgery next month to remove his kidney that's now the size of a football. If he doesn't get a healthy kidney by then, he'll continue with dialysis.
"Dialysis keeps you alive, but it's a hard life and there are a lot of limitations with it," said Laura Ellsworth, with Donate Life NW.
Ellsworth said there are many families who can identify with the Maynards. She said there are 800 people in Oregon and Southwest Washington on the waiting list for a new kidney. And the wait time is between three and five years.
She said many people are now turning to ads and social media to get their loved ones help.
"Their health is on hold. They're getting by day to day, and they're looking at that second chance at life and health any way they can find it," said Ellsworth.
No comments:
Post a Comment