YOUR AD HERE »

Sharon’s Mountain Sisters hope to find kidney donor for Tahoe Vista resident

Special to the Sun
Sharon Filardo
Courtesy photo |

TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — A group of support women, Sharon’s Mountain Sisters, are asking for your help. Our dear friend, Sharon Filardo, is in need of a kidney transplant as soon as possible. She has been diagnosed with a kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

According to the Mayo Clinic website, http://www.mayoclinic.org/fsgs, FSGS is a disease in which scar tissue develops on the parts of the kidneys that filter waste out of the blood (the glomeruli). FSGS can be caused by a variety of conditions. Without treatment, primary FSGS will usually lead to kidney failure where the only treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplant.

Sharon is a retired school teacher of 32 years and has given back to our community in numerous ways through charitable organizations and volunteering. Her husband, Phillip, is a retired policeman of 22 years. Sharon currently resides in Tahoe Vista, and she needs your help to find a 21- to 55-year-old living kidney donor, with eligible blood types: O, O+, or O-.



Due to her disease, Sharon has had to slow down and manage her energy carefully. She is hopeful she will be able to stay strong and healthy enough for a successful transplant surgery when a donor is located. She stays very positive about her future.

Phillip and Sharon realize what a significant request they are making and want to sincerely thank you as you assist them on this journey.



HOW TO HELP

There is no cost to the donor for the testing or for the transplant procedure. All expenses will be covered by the recipient and her insurance.

If you are a compatible match through blood screening, you will go to U.C. Davis for a final evaluation. The potential recipient and her husband will be more than willing to accompany you to U.C. Davis Transplant Center.

Average life expectancy of an organ from a deceased donor is 10-11 years; however, the average life expectancy of an organ from a live donor is 20 plus years.

Dialysis is an option but, it will decrease the life of the donated kidney. It will be used if needed to keep her healthy until a donor is located. Dialysis is typically the only option for patients who do not qualify for a transplant.

Contact Sharon at Spfilardo@aol.com, 408-314-1712 or call Sharon Stencel, at U.C. Davis, 916-734-3295.

A small group of women, in an effort to provide Sharon Filardo support, formed a group called SMS, Sharon’s Mountain Sisters, to reach out and find help for their friend.


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.