CORE Kidney Gala 2024

Tribute Book Purchase 

Mary Beth Barry - The 3rd Annual CORE Kidney Gala

Hi, I'm fundraising for the 3rd Annual CORE Kidney Gala, hosted by the Circle of CORE Kidney Foundation, to be held at The Jonathan Club. As a kidney transplant recipient, I've experienced the life-changing impact of CORE Kidney. Please join me in raising awareness about kidney health and transplant effectiveness. Help make a difference-your contribution matters! Thank you for being part of this effort! For more information about CORE Kidney, please contact us at [email protected].

 
My Story

Hailing from Newport, Rhode Island, I established myself as an early childhood educator and lower school administrator in my 40+ years working with kids and their parents. I shouldn't call it "work"-I loved it, and I think they did too. Some aspects of my professional experiences were challenging, but I wouldn't have given up a moment of it. My life took a serious detour when I faced end-stage renal failure at 65 years old. I had no genetic markers, no cancer, no diabetes, and no high blood pressure, and I had lived a healthy, active lifestyle. The impact was the same-I would die fairly soon without dialysis or a transplant.

Shortly after my diagnosis, I sought a second opinion for my treatment options and, by a stroke of good fortune, met Dr. Rastogi and other UCLA nephrologists in May 2012. Early in my experience with Dr. Rastogi, I was amazed to see him serve a cold patient some warm coffee in the waiting room. As time went on, I came to understand that his focus on patient well-being was to be expected. Undergoing dialysis for 4 ½ years, I became all too familiar with the daily challenges and frustrations faced by peritoneal and in-center dialysis patients. I did both. Wanting to share my experiences with others, I participated in Dr. Rastogi's UCLA kidney events, which exposed me to a community where others with kidney disease shared their invaluable knowledge and experiences.

At 70 years old, I faced the reality of being a difficult tissue match for a new kidney. Discouraged but hopeful, a twist of fate brought the news that would change my life. On December 15, 2016, a kidney became available from a deceased donor, Konrad Reuland, who tragically died from a brain aneurysm. Konrad's other kidney and heart went to Hall-of-Fame baseball player Rod Carew. Approximately 70 people benefited from Konrad's gift of life. Waking up after the transplant surgery, I felt reborn and compelled to honor my donor's legacy by making it my mission to care for Konrad's precious gift to me and to become a resource for others in my position. Now, at 77 years old, I often volunteer to meet with those who have questions about their experiences with kidney disease. I hope that my experiences can bring comfort to others grappling with kidney and transplant issues. CORE Kidney helps me and many other volunteers be a beacon for those seeking support, information, and a sense of belonging. Please support us.

Here is a video my donor's family  prepared to honor him and his gift of life to so many: https://vimeo.com/239906842

SAVE A LIFE 

Be a Difference Maker in the World

We join in the fight for our friend and fellow CORE Kidney Family member, Chantel, who is in immediate and desperate need of a kidney transplant. The fastest way to help is through a live donor.

We are suiting up and showing up to help her find a living kidney donor as soon as possible. In her role as Vice President of Artist Relations for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Chantel continues to work across the globe with her dialysis equipment in tow. She is a fighter, and she is fighting for her life while suffering from Lupus Nephritis, an incurable and degenerative disease. Chantel remains committed to her work and her community, but dialysis is taking its toll on her physical and mental health, as it would on anyone. Her son, Emilyn, is only 19, and he needs his mother to live and regain her health!

She has dedicated her life's work to helping others and advocating on behalf of artists and management in the production, corporate, political, and philanthropic spaces. She is strong, independent, and resilient, and while she enjoys being an advocate for others, it is difficult and uncomfortable for her to ask for the help she needs-especially when it comes to something as personal as her health. So, we are asking for a living kidney donor for her.

She was first diagnosed with Lupus in 1999 and was told she would eventually need a kidney transplant. She went into immediate treatment, which included several courses of high-dose steroids and chemotherapy. These treatments worked over the years, and she rallied several times to battle the disease. Her doctors used to affectionately refer to her as "The Machine" because of the strength and bravery she possessed in facing every challenge.

While some kidney patients can rely on their family's biological DNA-perhaps a parent, sibling, or relative-for a living kidney donor, this is not an option for Chantel. She was adopted and will need the generosity of a kidney donor to give her the ultimate gift of life.

Take this opportunity to be her hero-a life-saving guardian angel. Chantel needs your help. Share her story, talk about living kidney donation, and step into service. We need you to join us in this fight today. You have the ability to help give Chantel a second chance at life.

If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of testing or would like information about the living kidney donation process for Chantel, please reach out to UCLA's Kidney CORE Team:

**Attn: Christina**
**[email protected]**

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill