Emily Brogowski
erbrogowski@gmail.com
I am Emily Brogowski and I need a kidney. I have end-stage renal failure due to complications from diabetes. Ultimately I need an angel with blood type O, O+ or O-, to step forward to save my life by volunteering to give me a kidney. Tall order, I know. It's a big ask. So I'm not asking. But I am asking for your help in another way. There's something else that you can do to help me (and others with a similar need), even if you're not a donor: I need you to spread the word, and I'll show you how to do that in this post. Your job simply would be to get the word out about my need for a kidney.
I am told that the more people who know of my need, the better my chance is of reaching a person willing to be an altruistic donor. So, now it's all about getting the word out. That's where you come in.
Who Am I?
I am a 39-year old younger sister, loving aunt to 9 nieces and nephews, devoted fiancé to Deanna and I love our pooch Belle. I am a huge fan of women's soccer, literature and trivia.
I am being kept alive by three dialysis treatments each week. I'll spare you the details but, trust me, it's not pleasant. And, it is only a stop-gap measure. Dialysis patients have a greatly shortened life expectancy (which dramatically changes upon transplant). Dialysis exhausts me. I am so tired that I can't even plan my own wedding.
I've always tried to do well by people and help others whenever possible. I've always helped others. Now I need someone (any gender, any race, anybody can be a match) to help save my life.
Give me 15 minutes (or more) and use that time to tell the world about this website (Kidney4Emily.com).
- Email: Send this website to your friends (all of them) by email.
- Facebook: Post a small note on Facebook with a link to this website (icon above).
- Other Social Media Sites: Post a small note with a link to this website (icons below).
Most people have two well-functioning kidneys but can lead a full and equally healthy life with just one kidney. Both of my kidneys have fully shut down. So, medically I now have only two options to continue living:
- dialysis (life expectancy about 5 years)
- transplant (a new lease on life)
My family members are medically disqualified as donors.
Also, if a willing donor is not an exact match, through an arrangement called "Paired Kidney Donation" (kidney swapping) a donor who is not a match for me might be a match for someone else and I would be eligible to receive that person's donor's kidney that would be a match for me.
If You'd Like More Information:
For more information, see Columbia University Medical Center's "Becoming a Kidney Donor."
If you'd like to speak with someone confidentially (without disclosing your inquiry to me), please call Elenore Simchera or another transplant professional at St. Barnabas Medical Center (973 322 2331). Your questions will be answered by a qualified person who is familiar with my case. And, unless you request it, the hospital will not tell me of your inquiry.
Speaking with a St. Barnabas Medical Center transplant team staff member is much better than speaking with me. They know far more than I do and you will get better information from them than from me. So please, feel free to contact Elenore Simchera at St. Barnabas Medical Center (973 322 2331).
Mention my name, Emily Brogowski.
Keep in mind that a confidential phone call to her does not come with any obligations to proceed further.
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Note: It is illegal to exchange money for a kidney. No such request will be granted any consideration.
