With kidney waiting, man just needs funds

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With kidney waiting, man just needs funds

September 16, 2009
By SUSAN DeMAR LAFFERTY slafferty@southtownstar.com

NEW LENOX -- If Jeff Mager is able to attend the Halloween party Oct. 17 in New Lenox, he is definitely wearing a mask.

He's not sure what the rest of his costume will be -- possibly a hospital gown or doctor's scrubs to match the mask?
If you go

What: Halloween party fundraiser

When: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 17

Where: Lions Community Center, 1 W. Manor Drive, New Lenox

Cost: $25 per adult, $45 per couple, $15 for children.

Why: To defray the expenses of a kidney transplant

Information/purchase tickets: Contact Gloria Hopkinson, 815-587-4954 or pro-line autosports@comcast.net

To donate prizes: Contact L'Oreal Pinder, 815-641-1916 or lorealfit@yahoo.com

To donate cash: First Midwest Bank, Mager/Pinder Fundraiser, 1888 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, IL 60451.

Even if he isn't able to attend, Jeff will benefit from this holiday fundraiser organized by his five sisters.

And, he will have received the best prize ever -- a new kidney donated by his younger sister, L'Oreal Pinder.

During the transplant operation, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24, L'Oreal's left kidney will become her brother's right kidney. They hope the Halloween bash will raise enough money to help both their families cope with the financial strain during the recovery process.
Siblings a perfect match
Jeff, 35, a Romeoville father of two, lost his management position this spring and hopes his COBRA insurance will hold out. He plans to resume his job search as soon as he is healthy. L'Oreal, 31, a New Lenox mother of four, will miss about three months from her job as a massage therapist.

"We're family. We stick together," L'Oreal said.

She and her siblings grew up in Midlothian. Her mother and youngest sister Sara also were tested to see if they were a match for Jeff but L'Oreal's kidney was a "perfect" match, which is unusual, even for siblings, she said.

Many kidney problems are hereditary, but Jeff's was brought on by a virus he didn't know was attacking his kidneys.

He has been on a transplant list for nearly a year, but said the average wait is four to six years. His kidneys are only functioning at 10 percent and if that drops to 7 percent, he will require dialysis. A kidney from a living donor seemed like his best option.

"How do you ask someone to do this?" Jeff asked. "There's a risk to it."

But his sister said, there's risk in everything, driving a car, walking on the sidewalk.

Jeff teases her about being a "fitness guru," the one in the family who always exercises and eats right. Now, he's grateful for her physical toughness.

"I hope I don't start craving what she eats," he said laughing.
Life-changing event
As the date for the dual operation nears, L'Oreal admits she's nervous. "Emotionally, I will be OK. Let's just get it done," she said. "I'm not afraid. I will be fine. Hopefully my kidney will not be rejected." That won't be known for a few months.

"I feel confident it will work out. I'm at peace with this. She is giving me the gift of life," Jeff said. "I can't imagine what it will feel like to have all the toxins out of me."

With one healthy kidney apiece, the siblings will have some dietary restrictions and be a bit more careful about what they eat.

Jeff will have to stay away from germs and crowds for a while after surgery and wear a mask in public.

But once the scary stuff is over, this will likely be their happiest Halloween.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1772157,4_1_JO16_NLKIDNEY_S1-090916.article