Transplant for Talia

Talia's Story

Talia, my AMAZING 16 year old cousin, was rushed to the Joe Dimaggio Childrens Hospital in April of 2012. The doctors performed an emergency kidney biopsy and diagnosed Talia with Glomerular Nephritis. The doctors explained that both of Talia's kidneys were severly damaged from the disease, and that the damage was irreversible. Talia would eventually need dialysis to survive. This news was devastating to Talia and her family, yet Talia remained brave. A few months after this distressing news, Talia went into kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis in order to survive. Talia has enountered multiple hardships throughout her fight against her Chronic kidney disease, including dietary restrictions, complications from surgery, a malfunctioning dialysis catherter, malise and fatigue from the accumulating toxicities in her blood, and an altered body image resulting from her medications. Despite these struggles, Talia has stayed positive and shown strength beyond her years. I want the best life for my amazing cousin, and I need you to help me raise money for her kidney transplant!

Kidney transplants are very expensive. Averaging $67,200 for a kidney transplant ALONE, which does not include the pre-operative care, post-operative care, and immunosuppressants she will need to take for life! According to research, the estimated U.S. average 2011 billed charges per kidney transplant were $262,900 (Hanson & Bentley, 2011, p.4). 

References:

Hanson, Steven G., and Scott Bentley. 2011 U.S. Organ and Tissue Transplant Cost Estimates and Discussion. Rep. Milliman Research, Apr. 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. .