Hi there.  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you.  My name is Margaret and I am a 39 years old.  I am a wife of 19 years, a mom to a 19 year old son, a 14 year old son and I am also a mommy to 2 children who are now angles in heaven.  I have been on a long journey starting at age 9 when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  As some of you may know, this disease over time can be very damaging to your body.  As a result, in my particular situation, I have battled several obsticles.  Some of the most severe have been the loss of sight and removal of my left eye, heart issues, and end-stage renal failure just to name a few.  Once I found out that my kidneys were failing, I took the opportunity to seek out what options were available so that I could continue to be here for my family.  This diagnosis was not something that anyone should hear.  Dumbfounded, I looked at my Doctor and said "I can't live without kidneys!"  It was at this point he encouraged me to look into the possibility of a transplant.  In February 2011, I met with the University of Virginia transplant team.  We discussed my options at length and we were all in agreement that I am, indeed, a transplant candidate.  It was then that I was placed on the inactive transplant list to receive a kidney AND a pancreas.  Receiving both organs will eliminate my need for dialysis and at the same time eliminate the root cause of the health problems in which this all started.  

 

     I was placed on the inactive transplant list approximately 3 1/2 years ago and I have finally satisfied the list of criteria for being able to go on the active list.  Just for those of you who may not know about an organ transplant, you have to meet a HUGE list of criteria in order to go on the active list. This now means that once my name reaches the top of the list, I will then be able to take back control of my life because I will then receive my transplant.  I could wait anywhere from a matter of days to a matter of months waiting on "the call."  

 

     Transplant surgery is a very expensive in many ways.  One of the many expenses will be the life-long need for the post-transplant medications which can be very costly.  There will also be a large number of mandatory trips back and forth to the medical center which performed the surgery and to the labs for blood testing.  This then leads to other related expenses as a result of traveling back and forth.

 

     This is where I am asking for your help through prayer and donations.  God has been with me every step of my journey and I know He will provide whatever is necessary to meet the needs.  I also know that in consideration of your selflessness, He will, in turn, bless you.  I am thanking each and every person in advance for your kindness and generosity.  

 

Best Regards,

 

Margaret Hackney