Catherine “Kate” Harris is in need of a kidney. She has a rare disease, known as Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). It affects her body’s ability to properly filter her blood, causing kidney damage and eventually, failure.
This leads her, and anyone who has it, to need a new kidney. Harris received a transplant in 2009 from her sister. According to BioMed RI, FSGS has a moderate chance of coming back after a transplant, around 30% to 50%. Unfortunately for Harris, FSGS came back.
Which is why Kate’s daughter, Hollie Harris, has organized a fundraiser. The goal was to both raise awareness for anyone who might be a good donor match, or be able to give funds while she waits. In the meantime, Kate uses dialysis, for three and a half hours, three times a week. Dialysis is costly even with insurance.
Harris’ friends and family are grateful that she’s such a fighter. But they feel the financial strain and the medication leaves her too tired and unable to play with her grandchildren or live life fully. With a new kidney, they believe she could go back to making valuable memories with her family.
Friends of Harris urge that if you or someone you know is considering donating their kidney for this valiant cause, there is no time to wait. Catherine Harris, although she prefers Kate, is a registered transplant patient at both OSU Medical Center and University Hospital.
To see if you qualify for donating to University Hospitals, call 216-983-5138, or visit this link for more information
For the OSU Medical Center, visit this link for immediate assessment or more information.
