Melissa’s Story …

Melissa Michele Clynes was born August 15, 1990 in St. Louis, Missouri with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

She received a Heart Transplant at 10 days old at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She was the youngest in the nation at that time to receive a heart transplant.

Due to complications and her unique medical case, she endured a challenging 3-month hospital stay at Children’s Hospital.

She was tube fed for several years and struggled with multiple bouts of pneumonia and other viruses. Despite a childhood that required constant trips to Children’s, multiple tests, lab work and daily medications, she never complained and enjoyed the most of every day.

She eventually endured kidney failure that was complicated by the anti-rejection medications.

At age 16, she received a live Kidney Transplant, donated by her mother. Melissa began to finally feel healthy and her hope for a normal future was in sight.

Shortly thereafter, a virus attacked that kidney and destroyed it.

The news she thought she would never hear, came…

“We were unsuccessful to save Melissa’s kidney; another kidney transplant would be needed”

At age 18, in full kidney failure; she began dialysis for another 9 months. Melissa was determined to reach her goal of graduating from college.

Despite medical and physical difficulties related to dialysis, and daily pain and exhaustion, Melissa persevered and successfully completed one semester of college as an above average student, but had to drop out after completing half of each of the following two consecutive semesters.

Thank you for participating in Melissa’s Adventure!Melissa is a 19-year-old girl waiting patiently for a kidney transplant. This fun evening provides her with a special night out as a reprieve from her daily medical routines. She is the former recipient of both a heart and kidney transplant. The numerous medications she takes daily, together with a recent virus that attacked her donated kidney has resulted in the need for a new, live-donor kidney. While Melissa is on a waiting list, she receives dialysis treatments three times a week, which puts great strain on her body and complicates her daily living. This night out with her family provides a respite to her daily struggle with living. Thank you for helping to make this night special for her.

Many efforts helped support finding Melissa a kidney and respite for her waiting…

Melissa Clynes has lived all of her 19 years with extreme physical challenges, yet there has always been someone who has been placed in her life at the right time to allow her to pursue the life God has planned for her. Nineteen years ago, it was a young baby named Emily whose life ended short, but her parents donated her heart to Melissa. At 16 years old it was her own mother who donated a kidney, but unfortunately a virus attacked that organ and she now needs another. Melissa cannot survive without a kidney. She is a beautiful, selfless young girl whose only desire is to go to college.

Will you be the next one to help her?

Frequently Asked Questions… Who is a good candidate for donating a kidney? Live kidney donors must come from someone in good health, with blood type either A or O (positive or negative), between the ages of 18 and 55, and free of problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of hepatitis. A confidential phone screening will help to determine your eligibility. An informational packet containing detailed donor information will be sent upon request. What is the testing process? If you are eligible, a simple blood test is required to see if you will be a match. What does the test cost? Melissa’s insurance will cover the testing and surgery. The hospital will ask for an insurance card, but this is only standard procedure – you will not be billed. What is the surgery and recovery like? Laparoscopic surgery is used for kidney donation. Melissa’s mother was only in the hospital two days and returned to work within two weeks. Will I get sick without one of my kidneys? Can I play sports? Donors can resume a normal, healthy life and continue the sports activities they already enjoy. Can I speak to Melissa’s family for more information? YES! Melissa’s parents, Mike and Mary Clynes (314-805-4006) will be happy to speak with you about the surgery and what it means for Melissa. Can’t you survive on Dialysis? Dialysis puts stress on the heart, which Melissa has already received from a donor. Why do you need a live kidney; can’t you just wait for a cadaver donation? Live kidney donation results in better graft survival, lower rates of acute rejection, and improved long-term functioning.

If you want to help but find that you are not eligible, we ask that you pray daily for Melissa, her family, and also for her donor to soon come forward.

Melissa’s mother surfed the internet and found a website featuring Garet Hil, Founder, National Kidney Registry. She was put in contact with Dr. Milner, Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.

Through the Pay-it-Forward Live Kidney Donor Program, a live donor was quickly found as a near-perfect match.

“The National Kidney Registry with the support of physicians, Friends & Family as well as God’s intervention & healing made this restoration possible for Melissa.”

Cheryl Clynes, Melissa’s aunt

Hope found…

Garet Hil, founderNational Kidney Registry

www.nationalkidneyregistry.org

Celebration of New Life

With the donation of a live kidney by Cynthia, 22 from Chicago, IL and surgeon, Dr. Milner & his medical team, Melissa’s hope was restored on March 29, 2010 at Loyola University Medical Center.

At that time she was 19 years old.

“Melissa is doing great! The kidney started functioning immediately after the transplant. She is recovering fine and is being discharged this week.”

Mary Clynes, Melissa’s mother (March 2010)

Melissa at Indian Creek Park, St. Charles County, MO, May 2010

Pay–it–Forward

Kidney live donor program2010 Facts:

• 82,000 on dialysis in the U.S. alone• Need live donors; usually no family match• National Kidney Registry capable to quickly match

recipient to donor• In gratitude, recipient’s family member becomes live

donor; pays it forward• Chain continues for multiple healing across the nation

82,000 recipients CAN ALL receive kidneys

within 6 months!Melissa with cousin, Stefanie Clynes, in May 2010, just a few weeks after her live kidney transplant. Today, they attend school together at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

After Melissa received her kidney, her sister Sarah became a live kidney donor.

Sarah was part of a history-making, 22-chain of donors giving HOPE to 22 kidney recipients who now enjoy the fullness of life!

This hope was delivered on August 25, 2010 – 20 years to the day that Melissa received her heart transplant! Amazing enough, but still part of God’s

sovereign plan of Restoration…

… and

Hope!Melissa and Sarah