Susan Vanderburgh and her family are originally from San Francisco and decided to move to Southern California due to her husband’s medical condition. The inconsistent weather in the Bay Area was causing her husband to have flare ups. He was born with damaged kidneys due to a blockage in his ureter. Because of his kidney problem, he is on dialysis nine hours everyday. Lately, since his health is going downhill, he desperately needs his third transplant when he finds a donor. He had his first kidney transplant from his mother as the living donor. The kidney failed after 4 years. His second and last kidney came from his father as a living donor and his kidney is failing after 25 years.
“Most people on dialysis cannot wait 10 years for a cadaver kidney, said Susan. That is the current waiting time on the waiting list at UCLA. Even then, this list does not guarantee a transplant.” She also knows that the transplant and dialysis centers do not have resources to help patients locate a living donor and that is the patient's responsibility. Therefore, if the patient does not have a family member, a friend or an advocate to find a living donor, there is no one to do this job. That is how she assumes the role and responsibility on this search for a kidney donor.
From her efforts, they had two family members tested. One family member was rejected as a non-match and the other was rejected because of impending health issues discovered during the medical screening. Seven people came forward as a result of her campaigns and were prescreened, but not considered suitable donors. Everyday she continues to get the word out in the hopes that more people will step forward to get tested and that one will be a match.
The criteria for a suitable kidney donor is: he or she must be between 25 to 70 years old, healthy, blood group O preferred (RH factor does matter), must have own medical insurance, donor's family must be supportive of the donor's decision to donate.
Their insurance covers the donor's medical expenses. They have a grant that will cover the donor and donor's companion travel expenses. Essentially, it is free for the donor to donate a kidney. Although they have insurance, Susan reaches out to do fundraisers as it does not cover all of the medical service her husband needs.
Even though things are tough for her family, Susan is a woman who tries to stay positive. She must give her best everyday to accomplish what she must do for her family and has always been there to support her husband. They met in college and married 15 years ago. With five children, she does not have time for any hobbies, but she loves to sing and write. Her one goal right now is finding a donor.
With her job and travel time she is away from her home 10 to 15 hours a day. She has a Bachelor and Masters degree in Public Administration. She has been a legal secretary since 1995 and has worked as a Certified Paralegal and Case Manager. She is a Certified Mediator and has worked in the courts.
In addition to her work, on November 28th, she is going to law school to get her law degree. Between her job, her family, trying to market and find a donor for her husband and now law school and homework, driving from Lake Elsinore to Irvine everyday, her days as a breadwinner will even become longer than they are now. She has always worked to support her family. She speaks many languages, Cantonese, Mandarin Japanese, French, Spanish and Greek. She is to be admired for her determination and never give up attitude.
If you have any fundraising ideas for Susan or ideas on how she can find a donor please feel free to call her at Susan Vanderburgh at (760) 443-4143 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
facebook.com/givingcounts4ever; facebook.com/HelpDaddyErik/
GoFundMe campaign at: gofundme.com/ErikNeedsAKidney
YouTube page: youtube.com/
