Client 268: Transplant Catch-22

Picture this: you finally get the call you've been waiting for. After two years of dialysis, Methodist Hospital in Houston is ready to add you to the kidney transplant list. A second chance at life is within reach.

There's just one catch. You can't qualify for the transplant until you have a reliable vehicle to get you to and from the many pre-and-post transplant required appointments. And you can't earn enough to buy a vehicle until you have the transplant that restores your health. It's a catch-22 that traps many low-income dialysis patients in our community, and it has no solution without outside help.

That's exactly the dilemma Jose and his wife Anna were facing. After decades battling chronic illness, Jose's kidneys began failing, forcing him to leave his job for three days of dialysis each week. Anna works full time at a local hotel, but her income just covers their bills. They were doing everything right, yet still had no viable path forward.

This is precisely why OnRamp exists.

Thankfully, their social worker at the clinic, Mau, knew about our program and nominated this remarkable couple. From the moment we sat down with Jose and Anna, we were moved. These are people of tremendous character and perseverance, working hard against circumstances that would discourage almost anyone. When we asked them how we can pray for them, they told us to pray instead for the many other dialysis patients who don’t yet have hope of a transplant. They care so deeply for those in need around them.

Last week, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we gifted Jose and Anna a Toyota Corolla, a reliable vehicle that will carry Jose to Houston and, God willing, to the transplant that gives him his life back.

Your partnership made this moment possible. If you'd like to help us open this same door for the next Jose, we'd be honored to have you join us.