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Shelton Adams, 44, has lived with diabetes since he was 11. His health has worsened over the years. About three years ago, his kidneys failed.
After extensive testing, doctors said that his wife, Heidi, who is an eight-grade teacher at Four Oaks Middle School, is a perfect match for a transplant.
"It's a miracle that two people that are married can actually share an organ. You know, it's more than just marriage on paper now. This is something that I can give him so that he can live," she said.
But with relief comes concern about how the family will afford the transplant.
"We do have health insurance. And he also has Medicare on top of that. But any other expenses are not covered," she said. "We have three minor children in the house. Both their mom and dad are going to be going through the surgery and they are going to be out of work."
Their community has stepped in.
Heidi‘s co-workers at Four Oaks Middle School organized a fundraiser. Students sold bracelets. Others made products for a yard sale and auction.
"They really saw this project as a purpose," said Chesley Breitenbach, a teacher who helped organize the fundraiser. "It wasn't just another project that they had to turn into a teacher. It had a purpose. And that just made all the difference to them."
The school raised about $3,500.
"I knew I was from a good community before. But now I know I'm from a great community," Shelton Adams said.
The couple will undergo surgery in January.
If you would like to help the family, call the National Transplant Assistance Fund at 1-800-642-8399 or visit www.transplantfund.org
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By David J Undis on 11/26 12:57 PM
The generosity of live organ donors like Heidi Adams is wonderful. It’s a shame we need so many live organ donors. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year. There is another good way to put a big dent in the organ shortage – if you don’t agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live. Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. About 50% of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs when they die. Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 13,000 members, including 394 members in North Carolina. Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your readers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you’re interested. My email address is daveundis@lifesharers.org. My phone number is 615-351-8622.
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