Local woman in need of kidney overwhelmed by community support

Local woman in need of kidney overwhelmed by community support
Video - http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Local-woman-in-need-of-kidney-overwhelmed-by/RZNbGJpl0k6_jmeKmOL8mA.cspx

People looking to help woman in need of transplant

Published: 8/27 6:13 pm

A local woman in desperate need of a kidney transplant says she has received dozens of calls from people wanting to know how they can help her in her fight for life.

“We’ve had a lot of people call,” said Candie Young. “We’ve had like 50 people call.”

Young was the subject of a 17 News feature last week, highlighting her fight since both kidneys failed in 2010, as well as her service to the homeless.

Young is renowned for opening her home to people living in shelters, including in 2006 when she invited a homeless family to her home for Christmas before finding them a permanent home. That family had just lost a son and brother, 15-year-old Travis Talley, to a hit-and-run accident.

Despite the outpouring of support, there’s still a long way to go until Young actually gets a kidney.

But, her positive attitude in a meeting with 17 News Monday was a far cry from the desperate, forlorn attitude she displayed just last week. “It’s rough. It’s really rough,” said Young in an interview last week. “I don’t really get to do anything.”

Her new hope lies in the dozens of phone calls she’s received in the last four days, many from complete strangers offering to take a test to see if one of their kidneys would be a match.

“You never think people are going to respond like that,” said Patricia Phillips, Candie Young’s mother. “They responded so fast, and so many of them called. And, I just want to thank them for that. It’s going to save my daughter’s life.”

The fight for Young’s life is certainly at a turning point, but it’s far from over. Each person who volunteers has to undergo tests to make sure his or her kidney would be compatible. Those tests could take up to six months, according to Young.

But, just knowing there is a bit of hope fills Young with so much joy, she says she has trouble speaking to each person who calls asking how they can help her.

“Oh, the adrenaline!” said Young. “I can hardly even talk. I have to call my mom and tell her to talk for me.”

Through this entire ordeal, Young and her mother have realized that Young is far from the only person in need of an organ transplant. And, they share in each person’s grief.

“We’re watching her deteriorate every day,” said Phillips. “And, that’s hard for us to do.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die very day waiting for a transplant of some kind.

Candie Young needs as many possible donors lined up as she can get to have the best chance at finding a match. So, if you or someone you know can help, call 326-1940 or 348-4790 for more information.

Young says her insurance will cover your costs as well as her own, so do not hesitate to call for financial reasons.

We also encourage you to visit organdonor.gov for general information on organ and tissue donations.

Even if you can’t help Candie Young, chances are there is someone out there you can help.

http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Local-woman-in-need-of-kidney-overwhelmed-by/RZNbGJpl0k6_jmeKmOL8mA.cspx