Osceola mom looking for Living Kidney Donor
OSCEOLA, Ind. -- Waitlists for organ transplants can take years, but one Osceola woman, counting on a life-saving operation, hopes to find a living donor to cut that wait time down.
Nga Hershberger is a mom to 3 young kids. Most days, she's running to her full-time job, or running the kids to school or sports practice.
Her nightly routine? Running her dialysis machine.
"I have to connect to start my treatment before i go to bed and then it'll go the whole time while I'm sleeping," Nga says.
Nga has already been dealing with IgA Nephropathy, a.k.a Berger's Disease, since 2013. It involves a protein buildup in kidneys which over time, can lead to kidney failure.
"It basically just means that it wasn't filtering properly in the system, but since my numbers didn't look too bad, they just said, well let's keep an eye on it."
During covid though, doctors realized her kidney health had declined.
Nga says doctors diagnosed her with Stage 5 Kidney Failure, with just 3% function left in both of her kidneys.
"I've had a good cry about it," she admits.
The mom was added to the waitlist for a new kidney, which according to The Gift of Life Donor Program, is the organ facing the longest wait times for transplants.
Doctors told Nga she could be waiting 3-6 years.
Loved ones offered their own kidneys, but specific health factors affecting someone's ability to donate has ruled them out.
"I've leaned on God a little more. Knowing that I have to be on the dialysis machine every night, there's thoughts of not doing it anymore just because I'm tired of it, I don't want to do it…."
Her kidneys may be weak, but her support system is strong, and always there to wipe those tears away and push Nga to keep up the fight and keep the faith.
"My kids, my sister, my husband, they all were like 'We'll get you one. You know, that kidney was not meant for you. We're gonna get you a kidney', just their positive thoughts and attitudes to me, it brightens my day."
Together, Nga and her family are waiting for a miracle and the call that her prayers are answered before she runs out of time.
"Someone out there is going to be my living angel, and that's all I'm hoping for," Nga says.
It's not just the wait that's a struggle. For patients like Nga, it's the cost.
According to The American Journal of Managed Care, treating Stage 5 Kidney Disease can cost patients upwards of $11,000 every 4 months.
The transplant itself can cost upwards of $120,000.
Nga's loved ones are giving out t-shirts, car magnets, window decals and more to help raise money and spread the word about the donor search.
To purchase a shirt or accessory and to learn more about Nga, visit the Nga Needs a Kidney Facebook page.
To learn more about Living Kidney Donations, visit the IU Health website.
Click here to donate to Nga's Meal Train.
