Catherine Wacha
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$6,945
raised by 72 people
$10,000 goal
Catherine Wacha
Transplant Type: Kidney
Catherine Wacha is awaiting a new lease on life. She was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in 2001 when she was only 21-years-old. Although she worked with her doctors to manage her illness, Lupus took a toll on her body over the years and eventually attacked her kidneys. Catherine was hospitalized several times and treated with aggressive medications, including low doses of chemotherapy. Although the treatments worked for a time, by 2017 she was in end-stage renal failure. Most of her kidney function had been lost. Catherine’s illness affects her quality of life and leaves her very tired. Doctors say a kidney transplant is critical.
During this difficult time, Catherine is thankful for the love and support of her wife, Dori, and their family and friends. Catherine looks forward to receiving a transplant that will give her back her energy and allow her to feel like herself again. She is a singer/songwriter and has had to turn down shows due to her exhaustion. She enjoys going for walks on her lunch break, spending time with her loved ones, and hiking—but her health limits her activities now. Catherine wants nothing more than to be healthy again so she can enjoy life with Dori, explore Pittsburgh and all it has to offer and resume her active lifestyle. But right now, she needs your help.
The average kidney transplant costs more than $414,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, Catherine still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Catherine still works full time, but it is getting increasingly difficult as she experiences extreme fatigue. When she receives her transplant, she will have to take a significant time off from work, further adding to her financial burdens.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Catherine. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Pennsylvania Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Catherine Wacha” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!