TAMMY COLBERT

 

 

 

Hi, my name is Tammy. I am 49 years old, and I live in San Diego, California. I’m a single mother of two beautiful children, Jamar and Janae, and grandmother to three precious angels, Dominic, Daphne, and Dallin. 

Prior to my kidney failure, I worked as a medical laboratory technician. I loved being able to help people who are ill. These days, I’m on the receiving end of illness. Due to chronic kidney disease, I'm unable to work or enjoy the simple tasks I used to love. I do, however, enjoy watching the Food Network on television and going out to eat when I’m able. 

My disease, which I’ve been battling for 13 years, is called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. It attacks the kidneys’ filtering system and causes scarring that eventually results in complete kidney failure. Three years ago, I was put on the waiting list for a deceased-donor kidney and started hemodialysis (the kind where you go to a center 4 hours a day, 3 times a week). However, it had a strong negative effect on my body, and every time I went, I ended up in the ER due to dangerous drops in blood pressure. Finally, my nephrologist switched me to a different type of dialysis that can be done at home. It's more convenient than hemodialysis, but it must be done every day. So at night, I hook myself up to a machine for nine hours. 

All this has affected not only my own life but those of my children as well. My daughter, for example, set aside her dream of going to an out-of-state college; instead, she attends a local college so that she can be available to help me. This has been difficult on all of us, but I am a God-fearing woman, and by His grace and mercy, I'm still living. I pray that someone--perhaps you--will be able to bless me with the Gift of Life. I long to return to a normal life and watch my grandchildren grow up.

I’m a patient at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, but you do not need to be a resident of California to donate. All medical expenses are covered under my insurance.

I have Type O blood and thus need a Type O donor. However, Scripps Green participates in paired matching, which allows anyone of any blood type to donate. If you would like to be tested to see if you are a match for me, please contact my coordinator, Ashley Archer-Hayes,  at 858-554-4363 or by e-mail at Archer-Hayes.Ashley@scrippshealth.org. If you like, you may contact me by e-mail as well at tammycolbert07@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider living donation. If you are unable to donate but would like to help, please share my story with others. Again, thanks so much.

                                                                       Sincerely,

                                                                      Tammy