Georgia Transplant Portal

Gary Bales

Gary Bales lived twenty-four years of his life without knowing he was born with only one kidney. The rapid loss of twenty pounds in three days led to the medical examinations that revealed the shocking news that would change Gary’s life forever. His only kidney had failed, leaving him in critical need of a transplant and forcing him to go on dialysis treatments.

Dialysis is a mechanical means of filtering the bloodstream, a function the kidneys normally perform around the clock. However, it is only a temporary fix to prolong life until transplantation can take place. The dialysis treatments depleted Gary’s strength and robbed him of many of even the simplest pleasures most people take for granted on a daily basis. Nevertheless, his perseverance kept him working full-time during the eight months he was on dialysis.

Gary was in desperate need of a kidney, and his family members were tested in hopes for a donor match. Fortunately, his sister, Sharon, was a match and donated one of her kidneys. The year of 1984 at Vanderbilt University Hospital, Gary received the invaluable gift of life from his sister.

Following surgery, he and his wife, Chris, were forced to sell everything they had when faced with the astronomical medical bills. Gary returned back to work as soon as he could and was working full-time again within two months. Regular doctor visits from home in Georgia to Tennessee required weekly trips during recovery.

During this time, he rode his bicycle 18 miles each way from Smyrna to his daytime job in Woodstock. He also worked at Public Storage, which didn’t pay much, but working there allowed Gary and his wife to live there rent and utility free in the office apartment to save money.

In 1987, the couple learned that they were expecting their first child. Having been financially drained of all they had, they were forced to declare Bankruptcy. At the same time, Gary’s mother in Tennessee had fallen very ill and was in need of constant care. Without hesitation, he and his wife moved to Tennessee to be with his mother. Gary obtained a fulltime job as a photographer and also became a volunteer firefighter. He put his heart and soul into firefighting and worked his way up to Chief of the Department.

In 1991, Gary’s sister and kidney donor, Sharon, was killed at the age of thirty-four by a painter hired to paint her house. The family was devastated but took solace in the fact that Sharon’s spirit continued to live on through her brother Gary.

Unfortunately, the Bales family had much more sad news to endure. Gary’s mother passed away from a lengthy illness six months after the conviction of Sharon’s killer in 1993, and his stepfather’s death came very unexpectedly only one month later..

Over the next fifteen years, Gary regained his health while his support and love for his family continued to drive his daily motivation and livelihood. He takes great pride in the strong bond with his wife and his eighteen-year-old daughter, Sarah, and presently works in the selling and servicing of fire extinguishers.

Last August, Gary discovered he has End Stage Renal Disease, requiring the urgent need for a kidney transplant. His kidney, the only remaining element of Sharon, apart from memories, is deteriorating at a rapid pace and will necessitate dialysis within the next few months. He needs a kidney transplant as soon as possible and is very fortunate that his sister, Lisa, is a match. The only problem is that he does not have the funds to even start the process.

Unfortunately, there is no possible way that Gary can afford the escalated premiums imposed on transplant patients by health insurance providers. Gary’s current health insurance will not cover any cost associated with dialysis or a transplant.

Although we are hopeful that Gary will be able to receive Medicare assistance once his condition worsens and he is on dialysis, we have been unable to get any assurances that he will. Based on our research, $100,000 is the minimum amount we need to raise for the medical costs of Gary’s transplant and post transplant costs. Lifetime medication will be necessary to keep his new kidney healthy and ensure his body does not reject it. Emory Healthcare’s requirement of a down payment of $25,000 towards transplant costs to even begin pre-transplant testing creates an immediate need.

While the critical demand for financial assistance is evident, Gary’s humble character hinders his ability to ask for aid. As his family, we are appealing to you on his behalf. While the sacrifice of his sisters is undoubtedly the prevailing gesture of honor, charity and selfless love, we hope that Gary’s story will inspire generosity among the community.

We see the possibility of a transplant surgery as a ray of light, and we are asking you for your support.

UPDATE: March 20, 2008 - Donations to date : $6,210.00

Please visit his family-made site with more information... CLICK HERE!