A good friend of the family is desperately awaiting a kidney transplant. Chuck, 26 years old, has suffered from the same kidney disease Gary Coleman has since he was 15 months old. He has had two kidney transplants that his body rejected. He has undergone weekly dialysis as he waits desperately for a kidney to save his life.

Chuck has been Number 1 on the Mayo Clinic Kidney Recipient List for the past 5 years. Finding a match has been next to impossible due to the high number of antibodies in his body. New treatments in California have enabled doctors to reduce the antibodies in Chuck's blood. Doctors expect to find a match very soon, which requires Chuck to stay in CA for 3-6 months.

Apart from travel and cost of living expenses in CA, Chuck's NY health insurance will only cover 80% of an approximate $250,000 operation, leaving the family responsible for the balance.

A fundraising campaign has been established through the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). All contributions are administered by NTAF exclusively for uninsured transplant related expenses.

To make a tax-deductible donation:

Make checks payable to: NTAF New York Kidney Transplant Fund

Print in memo section: In honor of Chuck Pipia

Send to:
NTAF
150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087

For credit card contributions, call 1-800-642-8399 or visit the Transplant Fund Website.

Thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity and support!