Emerald Dalve

Emerald Dalve

Transplant Type: Kidney  

Emerald Dalve is awaiting a new lease on life. She was born with a genetic disorder that affects her urinary tract. While the disorder is normally diagnosed at birth, Emerald wasn’t diagnosed until age five. At that time she required emergency surgery. Emerald is now 25, and her kidneys are no longer functioning. She is on dialysis, which takes a toll on her quality of life and leaves her very sick and tired. Doctors say a kidney transplant is necessary for her survival.

During this difficult time, Emerald is thankful for the love and support of her family and friends. She looks forward to receiving a transplant that will give her back her energy and free her from dialysis. Emerald is an artist and a photographer, but she gets tired easily and can’t stay on her feet all day. Although it has been difficult, she is a full-time college student majoring in photography. Her illness and dialysis schedule make it impossible to live a normal life.  Emerald wants nothing more than to be healthy so she can enjoy her life and her future. But right now, she needs your help.

The average kidney transplant costs more than $442,000. And that’s only the beginning. Even with insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, Emerald still faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

Emerald’s journey to find a transplant center has been difficult. She was denied by multiple centers, and each time it was heartbreaking because a transplant is her only chance to a normal life. The transplant center that accepted her is 930 miles from her home and she will have to temporarily relocate to be nearby as she recovers, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging. 

Update:Emerald's surgery date is August 29th, 2018. Emerald's sister, Kim, is giving her the gift of life by being her kidney donor.All of your support means everything during this time.                  

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Emerald. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Florida Transplant Fund,  3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Emerald Dalve” on the memo line. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

Patient Health Institute: New York Presbyterian