KidneyTexas, Inc.: Our Sole Mission: Transformations

Transforming Lives Happens Right in Front of our Eyes!

Friend helping friend weaves the ties that bind for a lifetime

(Featured photo: Rhonda McCartt, Jan Woerner)*

Twenty-seven years ago, Jan Woerner fell through her attic, injuring her back. Terrified of surgery, she opted for a pain management program. The opioids helped, but then came a worse turn of events. An intestinal infection led to sepsis shock and put her in the hospital for three-and-a-half months. The process of keeping her alive and combating the infection affected both kidneys. She was on dialysis for two years, on the list for a transplant and searching for a kidney donor. Two years to the date of her sepsis shock, her dear friend Rhonda McCartt surprised her, letting her know she had been going through the match testing and was an exact match. Rhonda donated a kidney to Jan in August of 2017 and the operation was a fabulous success!     

“I am so grateful for this – Rhonda and what she is doing. It’s so selfless,” Jan said through tears of joy. “It’s a horrible and scary place to be, not knowing what will happen next when you are going through dialysis and praying for a donor match. I am truly blessed.”  

Jan met Rhonda through their dear friend, Terri Bumgarner, whom she has known for more than 30 years. “Our fathers were very good friends and that’s how I met Terri,” she said. Since that time, she and Terri worked with Rhonda beginning in 1999 at Market, when Rhonda worked for the apparel line Laundry. Since that time, Rhonda has moved on to work for Trina Turk, but the three gals have always stayed friends. 

Rhonda said, “Jan never asked me to do this. I volunteered. I had a good feeling about it and have always been positive about this. It’s such an easy process – that’s the message I’d like to share. Don’t be afraid to be tested. You can save a life. It’s a God thing for me, being able to do this for my dear friend. We will always be connected and friends forever.”       

Jan wants everyone to know, “That for all of the people out there – there is an angel for you. Do not give up hope.”   

Both Jan and Rhonda are doing well today and in excellent health. Jan said, “We worked together at Market as usual and are both every careful because of COVID-19, but we are enjoying our lives and so thankful for our friendship and continued good health.” 

Through Terri’s encouragement and their strong desire to make their story matter and the positive message they want to share, they have both joined KidneyTexas, Inc., which sponsors The Runway Report  Luncheon and Fashion Show each fall. This year’s theme is Our Sole Mission: Transformations.   

Sandy Secor, president of KidneyTexas, Inc. and Sharon Ballew, Luncheon and Fashion Show chair, along with Jolie Humphrey, honorary chair, have planned an entirely new format for the event happening on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.   

Sharon said, “With the onset of Covid-19, we have had to re-think how we can continue with our mission of transforming lives by fighting Kidney Disease – but doing it safely. With this in mind, we hope that you will join us as we try something new, a little outside the box.”

Table hosts at $3,500 and above will have champagne, a table centerpiece and lunch delivered to their home or business for their guests. Table hosts at higher levels will enjoy a society photographer dropping by to capture photos of the fun and more.  Individual tickets begin at $350 and include a lunch delivered to their home or business. All levels include recognition in the program and the show. While everyone enjoys lunch, the Kidney Texas Show will be streamed to watch in the comfort of their home or business. 

Get your tickets now and reserve your lunch and special treats!
Here’s a link to the video:
https://vimeo.com/450314972/fcb51cda77

A highlight of The Kidney Texas Show will be the fashion show sponsored by TOOTSIES and produced by the renowned Jan Strimple Productions. There will be special awards presented by Scott Murray, emcee, as well as a few surprise segments guests will enjoy and find informative. 

Sandy said, “One thing remains the same, Kidney Disease continues to strike all ages and is devastating for our friends and family. Since its founding in 1999, KidneyTexas, Inc. has provided more than $3.7 million in local funding to help in the search for a cure, to promote research, enhance treatment and support quality renal care in our community. Please join in our efforts to find a cure, improve treatment and provide better care for our neighbors in need.”  

Raffle tickets are available for $25 each or five for $100.  Nine lucky winners will receive one container each of this prize: * 50 pairs Disposable Powder Free, Latex Free, Soft Industrial Gloves * 50 Disposable 3 ply Masks * 1 Container of Hard to Find Clorox Disinfecting Wipes * 1  10 Oz. Hand Sanitizer with Aloe * 1 Bottle of Champagne (to celebrate when we have a vaccine) * 1 Bottle of White Wine * 1 Bottle of Red Wine * 1 Small Box of Emergency Chocolate * $50 TOOTSIES Gift Card * $50 Gift Card for your favorite curbside restaurant * All in a reusable, cleanable, container.     

The Sue Goodnight Service Award Honorees are Lorraine Meenan and Mary Miller. Beneficiaries are Camp Reynal of the National Kidney Foundation, Texas Health Resources Foundation and Methodist Health System Foundation.      

Visit the web site at  http://www.kidneytexas.org, email          kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or call 214-891-0896.

Mission Statement: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

Statistics: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

History: Celebrating its 21st Year in 2020! Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $3.7 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease. 

Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Fashion Show in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders. Your support is crucial to the success of our mission.

About TOOTSIES: Housed in a vast 20,000 square foot space in the Plaza at Preston Center, Tootsies is a modern full line specialty store offering the very best dresses, denim, ready to wear, shoes, handbags and jewelry.  We are a one stop shop known for exceptional service and on site personal styling in addition to our curated collection of designers including A.L.C.  Aquazurra, Brandon Maxwell, Cinq a’ Sept, Self Portrait, Ulla Johnson and Veronica Beard. 

 *Courtesy photo.

** Photo by Danny Campbell.

(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc.)

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