Deb
Update: Deb received a kidney transplant from a living donor! See her original story below.
"I WANT TO DANCE WITH MY SON AT HIS WEDDING NEXT YEAR, I DREAM OF THE DAY WHEN I WILL BE CALLED NANA BY MY GRANDCHILDREN, I WANT TO GROW OLD WITH MY SWEET HUSBAND."
-DEB (SECOND FROM LEFT) AND HER FAMILY
My name is Deborah (Deb), and I am asking for your help to save my life.
I am 59 years old and on the kidney transplant list at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.
My family is my priority. I have been happily married to my best friend for 36 years and I had the pleasure of "staying home" to raise our daughter and son who are now young adults. For the past 14 years I have worked managing small businesses and helping them to grow and expand. I have a huge zest for life and love contributing to my community. I adore my Golden Retriever and enjoy walking the parks and lakes of MN with him. I love life and I exercise regularly and eat clean to do everything I can to support my failing kidneys. I am known for my positive attitude and sense of humor and take great joy in making my family smile and laugh daily.
I inherited PKD (Polycystic Kidney disease) from my father as did 2 of my 3 brothers. Entering End Stage Renal Disease at 59 has been life altering for me as I have so much living planned. I want to dance with my son at his wedding next year, I dream of the day when I will be called Nana by my grandchildren, I want to grow old with my sweet husband.
I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family that are a match. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties. No waiting and wondering while my body continues to weaken. I am compatible with any Type A or Type O blood type. Even if you do not have the same blood type, you can donate as part of a paired exchange program.
The first step is to email my living donor coordinator Jenny Bodner at Hennepin Healthcare Jennifer.Bodner@hcmed.org. Email Subject Line should read: "Directed Donation - for Deborah Schottenfeld Patient"
The entire process is strictly confidential and medical costs are covered by my insurance. Please review existing Living Donor Benefits to determine which apply to you. If you are not eligible for a tax credit, I can reimburse for donation related expenses as permissible by law. In addition, the American Transplant Foundation has financial assistance available to cover any lost wages while you donate for those who are eligible after donation.
My brother, Dick, is from Colorado and is also seeking a living donor. Please click here if you'd like to view his story or watch him and my niece Missy Franklin in their interview with 9News.
Thank you for considering saving my life.
With deep gratitude,
Deb
