Legion hosts fundraising dinner for kidney transplant patient Dianne Lecuyer
Little Current鈥檚 Legion hosted a fundraiser for Dianne Lecuyer, a transplant survivor needing an urgent kidney.
Little Current
LITTLE CURRENT鈥擳he main hall of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 Little Current was bustling on May 22 as the branch hosted a spaghetti supper to raise funds to support a local resident undergoing a kidney transplant. The recipient, Dianne Lecuyer, is a remarkable testament to survival, having previously undergone a double lung transplant.
鈥淚鈥檓 reaching out on behalf of my mom, Dianne鈥攁 loving mother, proud grandmother and a true friend to so many,鈥 said her daughter Lisa.
Her mother, Dianne, has recently been placed on the urgent kidney transplant list and everything is now time sensitive. 鈥淲hen a donor kidney becomes available, we may only have a very short window鈥攕ometimes just hours鈥攖o get her to London for surgery.鈥
鈥淭his transplant is life-saving,鈥 continues Lisa Lecuyer. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no way to predict when the call will come, so we have to be ready at any moment to drop everything and get her there safely and quickly.鈥
Her mother will be receiving care through the transplant program at University Hospital in London, which means traveling on very short notice and staying nearby for an unknown period of time. After surgery, Dianne Lecuyer will need to remain close to the hospital for frequent follow-ups, monitoring and testing to ensure her body accepts the new kidney.
鈥淲hile we鈥檙e doing everything we can to prepare, the financial strain is overwhelming,鈥 noted Lisa Lecuyer. 鈥淲e are facing costs such as emergency travel to London at a moment鈥檚 notice (fuel, transportation, parking), temporary accommodation near the hospital before and after surgery, meals and daily living expenses while away from home, medications and transplant-related costs not fully covered and time off work to support her through surgery and recovery.鈥
Her daughter notes that her mother is 鈥渟omeone who shows up for others without hesitation. Whether as a mother, grandmother, or friend, she has given so much love and support to the people around her. Now, she needs that same support as she faces one of the biggest moments of her life.鈥
For those who were unable to attend the Legion supper, there is still an opportunity to reach out and help. A GoFundMe account (gofundme.com/f/diannes-kidney-journey) has been set up by Lisa Lecuyer.
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