Successful Chicken Barbecue Fundraiser for Transplant Patient

NFT patient Barbara Igney suffers from polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic condition that replaces healthy kidney tissue with cysts, causing the kidneys to stop functioning properly. Doctors say a kidney transplant is her only hope for a second chance at life.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000, and that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, she faces considerable medical expenses related to her transplant. 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.

Volunteers held a chicken barbecue fundraiser in her honor last week to assist with her medical expenses. Even though it was a cold day, they raised more than $1,700!

November Patient of the Month: Jonathan Amarillo

When Jonathan's mother, Yuberky, was pregnant, she won a 4D ultrasound in a contest. During that ultrasound, she learned her little boy was suffering from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Doctors said Jonathan wouldn't survive because his kidneys were so enlarged that his lungs couldn't develop properly. Jonathan has had both kidneys removed and requires dialysis treatments at home for more than 10 hours each day. Doctors have said a kidney transplant is critical to his survival.

Rather than arranging play dates and playing silly games with her baby boy, single mom Yuberky must spend her time scheduling doctors' visits and dialysis treatments for little Jonathan. They are facing a difficult challenge, but Yuberky is determined to be there for her son and see him overcome this health battle.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with insurance, Jonathan's family faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant.

To read more of little Jonathan's story or to make a donation to NFT in his honor, please visit his web bio.