32-y-o appeals for help with US$32,000 for urgent life-saving kidney transplant
Andrew Whyte, a 32-year-old LED technician, needs the public’s assistance in raising US$32,000 (approximately J$5 million) for an urgent life-saving kidney transplant. A GoFundMe has been organised.
The Mitchell Town, Clarendon native who lives alone, is currently only able to work once or twice a week because of his symptoms. That, paired with two weekly dialysis treatments totalling J$120,000 per month, has put a financial strain on him.
“Normally, when I could go to work every day, I can only go like a day, or two and then that’s it,” he told Observer Online, noting that it had been one of his “easier” days.
“The thing is, I work to pay myself. You know, the entertainment sector is like, not every day there is something going on. There are times when I’m able to work to cover my dialysis for the week (and) there are times when I’m unable to. Even for the past week, I was unable to pay for one session because I currently owe for a session right now… work wasn’t as it should’ve been. So, I do find challenges right here.”
The father of one noted that when he encounters hurdles, he asks for help from friends, family and neighbours who help when they can. Still, he hopes to be rid of the condition he says he “wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy”.
Due to the illness, he also developed hypertension.
“I was suffering from hydronephrosis which is an infection in the kidney, for like two (or) three years now. I was doing treatment for it, and then it became kidney failure,” Whyte added.
His main symptoms include feeling weak, lightheaded, as well as unbearable pain.
Noting that he tries to maintain a positive mindset, Whyte is encouraging everyone to take care of their health.
“Based on my experience, the thing I would want to encourage others to do is to focus on their health, pay keen attention to their diet and drink a lot of water because that is very important. Most of all, it’s also expensive. So, I would want everyone to pay keen attention to their health and get some regular check-ups,” he said.
Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe can do so via https://gofund.me/0a1975662.
