Kidney Transplant for Mark Jayson “MJ” Malabanan

I’m Mark Jayson “MJ “ Malabanan, a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patient from Calamba Laguna.

I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease due to IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) since 2017.

IgA nephropathy (nuh-FROP-uh-thee), also known as Berger's disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This results in local inflammation that, over time, can hamper your kidneys' ability to filter waste from your blood. (source Mayo Clinic)

In 2019 I took prednisone (steroids medicine to weaken my immune system) to prevent further damage to my kidney. But the side effects were the worst. Barely sleep at night, 3 to 4hrs sleep. Leg pain, pimples all over my body, very weak knees and experienced moon face. After 2 years of being in prednisone my doctor decided to stop it.

Last July 2022, my kidneys completely failed and no options left but to go on dialysis. Now, I’ve been on dialysis for 7 months. The dialysis has a big effect in my life, considering the time I spent in dialysis center, 4hrs every session, medication amounting more or less to P10,000 per month, and the dialysis cost amounting to P10,216 ( P584 multiply by 8 sessions and P347 multiply by 16 epoetin alfa, medicines to increase hemoglobin which is mandatory after each session). Over all monthly expenses for medicines and dialysis P20,216.

Luckily, my partner in life, offered her half kidney to be donated to me. Then, we started our work up (series of test for both of us to determine compatibility and readiness)last July 2022 for the kidney transplant (KT), the only way to go back to normal life. We have completed the work up, accomplished all documentary requirements and passed the ethics interview last Dec 2022.

We wer given a schedule for the transplant and it supposed to be on Jan 22 but was deferred to Feb 6, as I have low hemoglobin and platelet count.

The cost for the kidney transplant is P1.2M, half of it will be covered by Philhealth thru Zpackage (P600k) and the other half, P600k should be paid in cash by the KT patient.

Right now our biggest problem is the lack of funds. Since we have maximized our savings in medication since I was diagnosed with CKD. Also we are considering the amount of many medications needed after the transplant to avoid the new kidney being rejected by my body, it will cost P50K-P60K per month for 6 months.

I hope that you will help me to fulfill my dream to have a new healthy kidney through KT. This operation will be a great help not only for me to go back to normal life but to help my sister, also a dialysis patient, to live a longer life for her only son.

For direct donations:
Metrobank- 6423642334116
SecurityBank- 0000025998743
Account Name: Mark Jayson Malabanan

Thank you very much!