Can You Help? Claudia Bowers Kidney Transplant Fundraiser

Claudia Bowers Kidney Transplant Fundraiser

Friends and family in Smithtown  have always rallied around each other in times of need. Whether it’s been for a neighbor fighting cancer or a family who lost their house in a fire, those in the community have long held fundraising events like spaghetti dinners and silent auctions to help their neighbors through difficult times.  

Now, through a growing trend called crowdfunding, they are taking these efforts online.  

Friends and family of Claudia Bowers have set up a crowdfunding page on the popular crowdunding website, GiveForward.com. 

So far, the friends and family of Claudia Bowers have raised $1,950 for medical costs associated with her kidney transplant since the campaign launched on July 29.

Just over a year ago, Claudia, who has been a Smithtown resident for over 38 years, was diagnosed with renal failure, a debilitating disease that forced her to retire from a job she loved as Suffolk County Girl Scout’s Director of Camping Services. The diagnosis, which also requires her to go to dialysis three times a week at St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital in Smithtown, often times prevents her from spending time with the loves of her life, her grandchildren.

There is, however, a light at the end of the tunnel for Claudia. In September, her sister, Alyson Capone, of Daytona Beach, Florida, will unselfishly give her the gift of life by donating one of her kidneys to her big sister.  The operation will take place at the University Hospital at Stony Brook.

Of course, with a kidney transplant comes costs — costs that the insurance company won’t cover, including medications that Claudia will need to take to prevent her body from rejecting her sister’s kidney. Due to what is called a “donut hole,” in the insurance system, Claudia will have to pay $5,000 out of pocket for these expenses. This is why a fundraiser has been set up in her name. 

“Raising this money is so important to help my mom on her way to good health. It has been a long road since her diagnosis and we are forever grateful to everyone who has stepped up to help,” said Erica Jackson, Claudia’s eldest daughter.

To learn how you can support Claudia Bowers, please visit http://gfwd.at/1qLf44M or go to www.GiveForward.com and search for Claudia Bowers, Kidney Transplant Fundraiser the campaign closes on October 30, 2014.

A Facebook page to provide supporters with updates has also been created and can be visited here: https://www.facebook.com/Claudiastransplant?ref=hl

About GiveForward

GiveForward.com is one of the world’s leading online fundraising websites and the easiest way to raise money for a loved one in need. It is the #1 platform to start a medical fundraiser with 99 cents of every dollar going directly to the people who need it.  It is the only online fundraising site with fundraising coaches who provide fundraising ideas and guidance on how to raise money online. 

Comments

[christine fitzgerald]

I'm not sure if Claudia's family has heard about the Smithtown Children's Foundation, a 501c3, established in 2008, originally to assist the family of my neighbor, but we help local families in times of crisis with financial and emotional support. Please send Claudia or one of her family members to our website to fill out a medical hardship application.
Contact me with any questions!