Daughter-to-mother kidney donation hits snag

Daughter-to-mother kidney donation hits snag

Jon Yates
What's Your Problem?
April 23, 2010

When she heard her mother needed a kidney transplant, Emily Grudzinski did not hesitate. She immediately told her mom she wanted to be the donor.

Her mother gave her life, she reasoned. She wanted to repay the favor.

It wasn't a popular decision at home — at least not at first.

"I initially didn't want her to," said her mother, Pamela Grudzinski. "I worry about her future and what might happen, but she's determined. She's very strong-willed. Of course, I'm grateful. She's an angel."

But last April, transplant doctors told the younger Grudzinski she needed to lose weight before she could be considered a viable donor. So she did.

Over the next year, the 29-year-old Naperville resident passed a series of pre-donation tests and scans that she thought would enable her to proceed with the surgery.

There was, however, one more hurdle.

Because she had an abnormal echocardiogram in her past, the doctors required Emily Grudzinski to have a new image made of her heart before operating. Since echocardiograms are not considered part of the normal pre-transplant process, neither her mother's insurance nor the Kovler Organ Transplantation Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital would pay for it.

Grudzinski, who works two part-time jobs, has no health insurance and little savings. She said she initially asked whether Northwestern could provide financial assistance for the $2,500 test or allow her to pay for it on a payment plan.

After waiting several weeks and not receiving an answer, she e-mailed What's Your Problem? April 12.

Time, she said, was of the essence. Pamela Grudzinski's doctor said that without a transplant in the next 30 days, she will have to go on dialysis.

"This is getting urgent," Pamela Grudzinski said. "We're so anxious because I really don't want dialysis."

Emily Grudzinski said she has put off her impending wedding until the surgery is over.

"My mom isn't getting any better and I'd do anything to help her," she said. "I want to donate a kidney, and I don't mind paying for the test. I just can't write a check for the whole amount, but no one will tell me how to get on a payment plan."

The Problem Solver contacted Northwestern Memorial spokeswoman Jennifer Monasteri, who promised to look into the matter.

The next day, a representative from the Kovler Organ Transplantation Center called Emily Grudzinski and told her she would receive a grant to pay for the test.

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention," Northwestern Memorial said in an e-mail to the Problem Solver. "We are pleased to inform you that this matter has been resolved and that Emily qualifies to receive the echocardiogram through financial assistance."

She had the test Monday, and although the results are not yet back, both she and her mom are hopeful they can move forward with the transplant soon.

"I'm feeling optimistic," Emily Grudzinski said.

So is her mother, who said her daughter has never wavered from her decision to donate.

"She is that rare person who thinks of others long before herself," Pamela Grudzinski said. "I am so blessed to have this person in my life. She is intent on saving this life of mine at her expense, since she will have to take time off without pay and give up much, such as planning and paying for her wedding. Everyone should know how unselfish this person is and how lucky I am."

The Problem Solver will keep you updated on the Grudzinskis' progress.

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