James Vang needs a kidney, here’s how you can help!
Written by Ballzer on February 25, 2019
Exciting update from James in September: “To my dear friends and family of Facebook, it’s been a long time coming since Ive been diagnosed with ersd. Believe me when I tell you, it’s a hell of a thing… and I never thought I’d still be here to get this opportunity to make this announcement. But since the date has been determined and our case has been approved, we’re looking for all the support we can get to help us through this miracle of a once in a lifetime 2nd chance for not only me, but my family and close ones.
A college friend, now forever a brother to me, and an uncle to my future kids and a member of our family had decided to be my live donor. Joshua Smale, you are the answer to our prayers! And for that I will be forever grateful for your kindness. I will always look up to you and use your love as an example of how I will live mine.
However the journey won’t be over yet as we will be staying in a transplant house while we recover after the surgery. The cost of that along with life term medications, hospital visits and travel will be costly. We need any help we can get to pay for these expenses. Please consider donating and sharing this to support my recovery. And please show your support for Josh’s decision by taking a moment to comment, and thanking him for his selflessness, for giving me another chance to once again set new goals, to dream, to have a future with you all!
The surgery date is October 17th at the Mayo Hospital In Rochester MN. Please continue to pray for my recovery! I’m crossing my fingers and counting the days!”
You can donate to his fundraiser HERE
Onalaska resident James Vang needs a kidney! He’s been fighting kidney failure for about 3 years and needs a kidney transplant. He came in to share his story with the Z93 Morning Buzz and we hope we can find him a live donor! Listen to the interview here:
He is currently on dialysis and unfortunately had to quit his job to focus on his health. A live kidney donor can help keep him from needing another kidney for possibly 30+ years.
He and his wife Mai Ge have been working very hard to find a live donor for James. He told us, “Because the transplant procedure costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, we really need help to get through this! My wife and I don’t want to look back if we get through this! We’re hoping for me to get back on my feet so we can move forward, start a family, and hopefully live like normal people.”
He’s registered on 2 separate donor lists, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. You can contact his transplant coordinators if you or someone you know is able to help: Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester MN- Tammy Kazel, 1-866-249-1648; Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee WI – Deb Cook, 414-805-1460
Follow James and Mai Ge’s journey on their Facebook page HERE
You can donate to the Facebook fundraiser for James and Mai Ge HERE
Here’s some more info on donation in general:
More than 2,200 people are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant in Wisconsin. Thousands more await tissue, bone, skin and corneas. One donor can save or improve the lives of more than 50 people. Donated organs are used to save the lives of people with organ failure. Donated corneas restore vision for the blind. Donated skin, bone and tissue help repair defects, promote faster healing, save limbs and can save the lives of those with severe burns. Heart valves give patients a chance to resume normal life.
Donation is only considered after all efforts to save a patient’s life have been exhausted by the medical team. Organ recovery only occurs after death has been declared. The Organ Procurement Organization is a separate team of people from the medical team that is treating the patient. This ensures that there is no conflict of interest.
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