LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– The Tree of Life Gala is tonight at 8 p.m. LEX 18’s Nancy Cox sat down with a man who is waiting for a kidney as he told his story and talked about how the gala is helping people learn about organ donation.
Chip Hunter has polycystic kidney disease.
“I was feeling tired, run down,” he said. “Went to Dr. Webb. My kidneys were functioning at 10%. He told me it was time.”
A year and eight months have passed since Chip went on the list for a kidney.
“Inside, I was sad. I was angry. Angry that we had to deal with this in our 30’s,” Chip’s wife, Melanie said. “It’s very difficult to watch someone you love suffer and feel very helpless.”
Melanie hopes that someone will hear their story and it will tug on their heart. Not only for Chip, but others on the waiting list for kidneys that need donors.
At the gala tonight, the Hunters will share their story.
The Tree of Life Gala is an event where people use their creativity and generosity to decorate mini-Christmas trees to be auctioned off.
The money will help the Kidney Alliance spread the word, fund research, and let people like Chip and Melanie know there is hope.
The event is 8 p.m. at Distillery Square at the Grand Reserve Event Center. You can buy a tree and learn more about organ donation.
Click here to learn more about UK’s Living Kidney Donor Program.
If you would like to see if you are a match to donate to Chip Hunter, who can contact Lynne Polly, RN CCTC. Her direct number at UK Healthcare is (859) 323-5737 or lynne.polly@uky.edu.
