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Fundraiser for local kidney transplant recipient

Friends and family will be holding a fundraiser for Kristi Kirby, a Saginaw woman who will be receiving a life-saving kidney transplant at the end of April.  Usually it’s a five-year wait on the National Kidney Registry, but Kirby didn’t have to wait that long, thanks to her friend, Kristina Fanning.

Even though the odds are rare (about 1 in 500,000) that a non-blood-related person could be a match, it turned out that Fanning was one of those rare few to have a compatible kidney. Kirby’s kidneys began to fail about eight months ago, and are currently functioning at only 10 percent efficiency.

The friend’s lives have been filled with odd coincidences and signs that would lead one to believe that sometimes, everything just falls into place for a reason. Their streets are right next to each other, their sons were both due the same week, and both later attend Hemlock Middle School. Both women were born and raised in Saginaw, and while Fanning attended Swan Valley High School, and Kirby attended elsewhere, both of their husbands attended Swan Valley. Kristina’s father’s name was Ronald Leroy, and Kristi’s father’s name is Ronald Roy. In addition to all this, the two women have the same blood type, work at the same dental office, and both of their mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was due to these incredible similarities that prompted Fanning to be tested, and discovered the biggest and most important coincidence of all – she was a match. After that, it was an easy decision. “We were good friends before this all happened and now I believe that we will be even closer,” said Fanning.

The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, April 24, at the Farmers Home Tavern, 215 E. Saginaw St., in Hemlock, beginning at noon. Don McCoy, who works in the new car department and in maintenance, and is the brother-in-law to Bill Martin of Martin Chevrolet, is the coordinator of the event. Many of the employees at Martin Chevrolet are pitching in to help get donations.

Kirby’s husband, Don, also works at Martin Chevrolet, and the two men have been friends for 20 years. Don Kirby’s sister also tested for compatibility, but unfortunately it was discovered that she has cancer, and his mother recently had to have back surgery.

“Their family is going through a lot right now,” McCoy said, “but they’re good people, and we want to do everything we can to help them.”

The fundraiser will feature a chicken dinner, with baked beans, coleslaw and dinner roll for $10.00, along with specials on draft and bottled beer, a 50/50 drawing, bake sale, silent auction, gun raffle, and live music. The Farmers Home Tavern has agreed to cook the food, offer drink specials, and is providing a tent in case of inclement weather.

There is no entry fee, but donations would be appreciated. Prizes include gas cards, gift certificates, a vacuum cleaner, shotguns, a guitar, and more. Walmart donated an iPod, Midpoint Party Store donated a beer mirror, H&B Lawn Equipment donated a weed-whipper, and City Sewer is providing a port-a-potty.

Kidney Transplant
Kristina Fanning (right) is one of the rare, non-blood-related few to have a compatible kidney for her friend, Kristie Kirby (left). (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

 

 

 

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