Team TJ

SECOND CHANCE FOR TRACY - FRIEND OFFERS KIDNEY

When she was 12, Tracy Johnson was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, an illness that stops the kidneys from working properly and can lead to chronic kidney failure. Her family were told at the time she would be on dialysis by the time she was 18. But Tracy managed the condition and carried on with a full life, having a family and working full time. But as can happen with the disease, both her kidneys gradually began to fail. In her mid-30s and with three young children, she endured a difficult dialysis journey that lasted nearly four years.

Then in 2005 Tracy received the call to say a kidney was available and she was in theatre that afternoon.

But now that kidney is failing.

However, Tracy has been given a second chance thanks to the kindness of a long-time friend Fiona Couchman who is donating one of her kidneys – and to an innovative technique that allows kidney transplants to be made with incompatible blood types.

“Tracy is so vibrant and vivacious that people don't realise the extent of the illness on her health,” says Fiona. “She’s like my sister. I’m happy to be able to help.”

Tracy says she can’t find the right words to express how she feels about Fiona’s support.

“What she’s doing is so big. It’s not just giving a kidney; but she’s going through a significant surgery as well. She’s also a huge support in my life as a friend and has had to be the driver of this whole process with the medical staff, which has taken two years. I don’t think it’s possible to entirely thank someone enough for something like this.”

Until recently, a kidney transplant could not be performed unless both the kidney recipient and the donor had compatible blood types. Now, using an innovative desensitization technique, Doctors can eliminate a recipient's reaction to an incompatible blood type and Tracy’s surgery is set to happen on 22 October. But the operation can only be done in Auckland and Tracy will need to be there three weeks beforehand and a month or so after the surgery.

“They will remove any blood group antibodies from my blood using a plasma exchange and this happens three or more times depending on how much antibody I have. Then, they will turn off the cells in my body from making more of the blood group antibodies. Then the transplant can be done.”

With her declining health, Tracy has no annual or sick leave available so her colleagues and friends – Team TJ – are rallying to help raise funds to cover the costs of her on-going expenses at home while she’s away, and to help with accommodation and travel while she’s in Auckland.

Thank you so much for your donation - we appreciate you helping Tracy through this journey! All donated funds will be transferred to law firm Gault Bevan Law to be held until the date of Tracy’s rescheduled operation.

People can make a donation to http://Givealittle.co.nz/cause/teamtj and also come along to one of the fundraising events that will be promoted on Givealittle (search under TeamTJ and the quiz night page will come up).