theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf
   Raegan Thompson is a beautiful, active, positive and enthusiastic, soon-to-be 15 year-old girl whose body hides a debilitating illness not obvious to the casual observer. In 2009, a regular physical check-up disclosed high blood pressure, as well as an elevation in certain other very important lab work. The family was referred to Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Finally, after countless tests and other diagnostic procedures, she was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019. In early 2023, Dr. Taylor from Children’s Hospital began discussing the pros and cons of dialysis vs. transplant.
   Dialysis is no fun, even for adults to endure, but it’s critical in order to remove toxins from the body. A transplant became the family’s preferred option and they are currently seeking a viable kidney from a living donor. This option is preferable as organ donation from a deceased donor is time sensitive. Getting a phone call at 3 a.m. instructing you to “Get here now!” is problematic when you live three and a half hours away from the hospital where the transplant will take place.
   Kidney disease runs in Raegan’s family with two extended family members having already received transplants. The family has had tremendous success with social media platforms helping to spread the word, shared over 300 times, and netting over 50 individuals who have signed up to be tested for a match.
   The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s website outlines the volunteer process once a person indicates their willingness to be tested. A phone call is received from a nurse who gathers medical history and a lab kit is sent out which can be done at our local hospital. Once that gets sent in, if all goes well, an appointment is scheduled for transplant evaluation. Counseling is also provided. All information is completely confidential and subject to HIPPA privacy regulations.
   The family does have good insurance, which also covers the donor, except for necessary hotel stays during the donor’s post-procedure follow-up care. Funds raised during the Rally for Raegan will be going to help the donor with those expenses. They are hopeful a viable donor will be found soon so Raegan can undergo the transplant procedure this summer.
   Wes and Jessica Thompson live with their family in Ord and the couple has two other children besides Raegan: Dawson, who is 17 years old, and Haelyn, age eight. Anyone who is or has ever been a parent can relate to the intense worry and anxiety they must be experiencing every single day since the diagnosis was first revealed. It is life altering.
   But there are ways that you can help. The Rally for Raegan is a free-will donation walk around the Auble’s Pond area on Sat., April 27, beginning at 10 a.m. No registration is necessary. A delicious barbecue luncheon will follow at 11 a.m., served by Ord’s always willing FFA members. T-shirts can be purchased at $20 each. A silent auction will also be held, so far featuring two quarters of beef, a Yeti cooler and a Milwaukee electric mower.
  If you are unable to attend on April 27, an account has been established at First National Bank in Ord for additional donations. Checks should be made out to “Rally for Raegan.”
   When asked to comment on the efforts to assist the family in dealing with such a health crisis, Raegan’s mother Jessica simply commented, “Thank you. We’re just blown away by this. It’s amazing that people who don’t know us are willing to help. Raegan is very quiet and she never complains, but we know she will feel better after the transplant.”
  For the complete story, pick up this week's Quiz!