In July of 2004, Boycott Watch was
forwarded an impassioned email from a woman requesting people be tested to find
a kidney donor to save the life of her husband. Boycott Watch was asked to
validate the letter because of the many hoaxes circulating across the Internet,
and after determining that the letter was legitimate, we decided to take
action.
Boycott Watch wanted to help circulate the
letter, but a problem existed - such emails are generally ignored or taken as a
hoax. To alleviate this problem, Boycott Watch decided to create a website to
help spread the word, So, on July 23rd, 2004, Boycott Watch launched the
website www.SaveStuart.org to help save the life of Stuart Zimmer, a devoted
husband and father of three small children, the youngest being 5 months old.
Boycott Watch posted updates as available, promoted
the website and forwarded it friends on a regular basis, asking them for
forward it to their friends. Our efforts paid off.
After a long battle to find a kidney donor to save
the life of 35 year old Stuart Zimmer, a compatible donor was found out of the
more than 120 people tested. As a result, Stuart had a successful kidney
transplant on April 28, 2005!
The following is
what is now posted at www.SaveStuart.org:
Stuart, his
wife Jennifer, and their three children Zach, Sabre and Max would like to thank
everyone who helped out in every way, including passing along the information,
signing the guestbook, and getting tested. The family also thanks Fred Taub and
Boycott Watch launching the website that helped get the word out to find a
donor.
Special thanks go to Regina Grebb of New York
who is the donor as well as everyone at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
Regina hopes that this story will be an inspiration to people to get tested
too. She urges you and everyone to get tested to see if you can help save a
life too.
With love and appreciation,
Stuart, Jennifer, Zach, Sabre
and Max Zimmer
- - - Original Email - - -
My husband, Stuart Zimmer, is dying from
kidney failure. We have three children: ages 4, 2 and 5 months. Stuart is
suffering on dialysis and his doctors are unable to control his blood pressure,
which is high enough to cause a stroke or worse. He is only 35 and otherwise
fit & healthy. He desperately needs a kidney transplant to stay
alive. So far, 30 friends, family and total strangers have been tested, but
none were compatible. Since he had a previous surgery and blood transfusions,
he is highly sensitized and difficult to match.
Now,
I am taking my appeal across the U.S. in hopes of getting a match for Stuart. I
pray someone will read this and understand. Every day, 12 people die
waiting for a donor. I don't want my precious husband to become a
statistic.
If you or anyone you know would consider
being tested as a potential donor, call Columbia Presbyterian Hospital at
212-305-6469 and ask for Joan Kelly. You can also reach her at
kellyja@nyp.org . The test is simple and free. If you do not hear back soon,
call me. Often they are very busy, and don't get back to people as quickly as
we would like. You can also email me: zimmer6@aol.com .
Compatible donors should be between 18 and 65, in
good health and have Type B or O blood. If you have high blood pressure, a
blood disease or diabetes, you cannot donate. The donor's surgery is now very
simple and laparoscopic. The donor is hospitalized for 2-3 days, with only a
small "bikini line" incision. Most donors are back to work within a week with
no dietary or lifestyle restrictions. There is no cost to the
donor. You can live a long, healthy life with just one kidney! In fact, many
people are born with just one.
Please share this with
friends, family and colleagues. With the right transplant, Stuart will have
many more years to enjoy our babies and lead a full, productive life. In the
meantime, please pray for everyone awaiting vital organs to live.
Thank you with all my heart for reading this. Please
contact me with any questions.
God bless you,
Jennifer Zimmer
(201) 825-9388
(201) 388-6289
zimmer6@aol.com
- - - End
Of Original Email - - - |
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