Hello everyone,
I have new developments, so my excitement is hard to contain.
My husband has been awaiting a third kidney transplant since 2016. He started dialysis in 2017 (2 hours during the day, and 10.5 hours at night). Recently, dialysis is 6 hours during the day and 10.5 hours at night. It has been increasingly difficult to manage school and activity schedules for 5 children since he is the stay-at-home dad. I have always been working and going to school, so I have a similar challenge.
I have been seeking a living donor for him since 2016 and I have somehow found a spot for myself in the advocacy arena for kidney transplant patients. As a result of this, I am booked to speak on the Warriors Quest show on February 12, 2020 which is sponsored by Urban Health Outreach Media Network, I am an advocate at the Kidney Conference on April 24 in New York and I am trying to finish writing a book! I cannot believe the thousands of people I have met in the community and how I had continued pushing forward despite the challenges of being a caregiver to someone with a terminal disease. From all of this, our journey is optimistically close to an end and towards starting a new life -- my husband has 4 potential donors and one of them is going to the next level. So, if everything goes accordingly, my husband will have a new transplanted kidney in about 6 months.
This current development means I now have the honor and pleasure to organize a huge fundraiser. I thought of a gala-type kid-friendly fundraiser which will help with any costs not covered by insurance or grants. I have a non-profit organization from which to operate, so all donations (in-kind, sponsorships, monetary, etc.) are 501c3 compliant and receipts gladly given. I am organizing this event and need a venue, items for raffling, food, music, corporate sponsorships, etc. Please let me know if you are interested in sponsoring, donating, or volunteering? My plan is to recognize all donors in some way, so I plan to give much visibility to businesses.
We are looking at sometime in May for a huge event like this, but it all depends on how quickly I can get things in place. What do you think?
Susan Vanderburgh
