Family looking for 'miracle'

To the Editor:

My family is looking for a miracle for my mom.

My mom has a kidney disease, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and has been on the transplant list for a kidney for too long now with no word.

She is the type of person that doesn't ask anything from anyone, so I am writing to ask for her.

We have no extended family and only risk factors that do not allow the three people left to donate.

FSGS is named for the scarring, of "sclerosis," that can be found in the kidney of people with this disease.

When looked at under a microscope, everyone's kidneys contain million of tiny filters called "glomeruli."

These filters work much like a colander that you might have in your kitchen.

Blood is "poured into them" as it circulates through the kidney, and the water-like part of the blood drains through.

This becomes your urine. When these filters are damaged, they become scarred. They are no longer able to filter blood appropriately. This is called "glomerulosclerosis."

The word "focal" is added because in FSGS, only some of the filters are damaged.

"Segmental" is included because often, only parts of the filters are scarred.

So Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis is a very descriptive name for the disease. Some segments of kidney filters are scarred.

My mom is the first person to help me or someone else out without even having to ask.

My mom is an angel and now I am looking for an angel for her.

We are in need of a kidney and sooner rather than later.

We are looking for a donor if anyone would like to help, please contact The Brazil Times to get our information and we would be happy to speak with you and let you know what to do to get tested.

There will be no medical bills for the donor as it is taken care of by the recipient.

Log on to www.donatelifeindiana.org for more information.

We aren't even looking for the same blood type. There is a cross match program where an organ can be donated to an individual and because it is a cross match program, it moves the recipient up the list to where they automatically get the organ that they need in their blood type.

If you are interested in just being tested, please contact today.

Most importantly, please pray for our family.

Brian and Sarah Plummer,

Brazil