PITTSBURGH — Two Pittsburgh-area sisters are about to undergo a medical procedure that will save one of their lives.
In 2007, Geri Whalen, 33, learned she had developed kidney disease.
"After I had three kids in four years, my kidneys just kind of gave out," Whalen said. "It's really scary to not know if you're going to make it. About 4,500 people a year die waiting for a kidney."
Whalen said she has no family history of the illness, but she has had diabetes since she was 9.
Doctors told her that a kidney and pancreas transplant were essential to her survival.
Upon learning of her sister's need for a transplant, Dana Christner immediately stepped up to help.
"There was no decision to be made. Losing Geri was never an option," Christner said. "I told my girls that God gave us two kidneys, and we only need one. So God gave us two to share with somebody who needs it."
Without giving it a second thought, Christner said, she knew she had to undergo testing to see if she could be the donor to save her sister's life.
Christner was a match, and the surgery is scheduled to take place on Jan. 16.
“It’s really hard. It’s been hard to watch her all these years since she was diagnosed with diabetes. When she was sick and not being able to do anything to help her is hard,” Christner said.
After recovering from her kidney transplant, which is the biggest hurdle because there is such a high demand for kidney donors, Whalen will be added back to the transplant waiting list in hopes of receiving a new pancreas.
The average kidney transplant costs about $250,000, and a pancreas transplant costs more than $285,000.
Even with health insurance, Whalen faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very pricey, and they're as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
To overcome the financial challenges, Whalen and her family turned to the National Foundation for Transplants for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps transplant patients raise funds to pay for medical expenses.
"It's so wonderful that Dana is the perfect match and so willing to jump in and save Geri's life,” said Claire Prince, NFT fundraising consultant. "I know Geri wants nothing more than to be with her three children for many years, and at NFT, we want to help her do just that. We want them to raise the necessary funds so she can focus on her family and her health, not the medical expenses."
Friends and family are stepping in to help with the transplant costs by hosting a fundraiser at Del's Bar & Ristorante, 4428 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh, on
Jan. 24 beginning at 5 p.m.
For $10, there will be a wing, pizza appetizers and pasta bar, along with a silent auction and drinks served by guest bartender Jennifer LaBella.
All proceeds, tips and donations will go to NFT in Whalen's honor.
For more information, please contact Jennifer LaBella at 412-860-8805 or jjlabella@verizon.net
To make a donation in Whalen's honor, please visit www.transplants.org and select Find an NFT Patient.
If you prefer to mail your contribution, please send your gift to the NFT Pennsylvania Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Be sure to write "in honor of Geri Whalen" in the subject line.