by Raina Jain

Posted on August 27, 2013

Thomas Smith was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes when he was 12, but was able to maintain a normal lifestyle through his youth. Nineteen years later, the disease is worsening- now, his normal lifestyle consists of receiving hourly insulin injections and confronting stage 4 renal failure and hypertension.

Functionality of his kidneys has decreased to 15 percent, meaning Smith is in desperate need of a double organ transplant for both a kidney and his pancreas.

In order to cover the cost of the transplant, Smith’s family and friends have organized a yard sale. The fundraiser is set for September 7th in Conyers, Arizona.

Although health insurance will cover most of the operation costs, concern lies over the post-operative medicine, which can cost from $600-$1000 per month. The Georgia Transplant Foundation has already promised to match any funds that Smith raises up to $10,000. If he is able to raise enough by December, Smith is much more likely to be granted a spot on the transplant list. Then, the real wait begins for a proper donor, a process that could take up to two years.

At this time, Smith is undergoing dialysis and cannot work, but still attends classes to obtain an associates degree in criminal justice.

His family and friends are hoping for the best. His aunt, Melody Smith, stated, “Time is not something he can afford right now. He’s not in critical condition but he’s kind of in the doorway of it. If he had the transplant, he could have a very good quality of life at this point.”

To learn more or to donate items for the yard sale, call Melody Smith at 770-601-7298 or Vanessa Jackson at 678-314-7524. Also, visit this site.

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