So what’s the best gift you could receive during the holiday season?  Is it a new IPhone, jewelry, a vacation, tickets to see Hamilton on Broadway or better yet the Super Bowl?  They are all pretty special but for one Toms River woman the only thing on her wish list is a kidney.

Theresa (Terri) Declet has been diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease and at this point her only hope is to find a living donor for a transplant.  The 73-year old has been married to her high school sweetheart Daniel for 51 years but neither he or their adopted son nor any other family member is a match for a transplant.

If a living donor is not found Terri will likely begin dialysis as soon as next month and would have to remain on that for the rest of her life.

Declet is working with Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston which is ranked #1 nationwide in Living Donor Kidney Transplants and the third largest kidney transplant program in the United States.  If you would like information on how to become a living donor you can call them at 973-322-5346 and mention her name as the person you would like to help.

Terri can’t speak with prospective donors herself but does say that her insurance will cover all expenses and at the same time her family would help a donor in any way they can.

Declet has been a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church since moving to Toms River in 2011.  Her life’s work for 22 years was saving animals as an Animal Control Officer and Shelter Manager.  Now she finds herself on the other end, hoping and praying there is someone out there who can help save her life.

It’s certainly a big ask when it comes to holiday gifts but Terri Declet is hoping for a Christmas miracle.  You know they do happen sometimes.

 

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