BROOMFIELD, Colo. — A Colorado woman who has been waiting for a kidney transplant for nearly 20 years was targeted by a scammer who used her story to steal GoFundMe donations, KDVR reports.
"So it raised my hopes up and it crushed me" Amy Meyer said, referencing the fake GoFundMe account.
KDVR contacted GoFundMe and received a statement saying the fake fundraiser has since been removed and donations were refunded. GoFundMe says they notified authorities about the scam.
Amid the heartbreak, Meyer continues her struggle to find an organ that will be a match.
Battling kidney failure is an arduous process.
Three times a week for six hours a day, Meyer heads to the Kidney Center of Westminster to have dialysis machines do the work her kidneys can’t. It’s something she said she’s done for more than 19 years.
“I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s a part of my life,” she told KDVR.
Meyer has been living with the consequences of kidney failure since her teens. The Holy Family High School cafeteria cashier puts on a brave front, keeping everyone else’s spirits up at the center.
Calling them “part of her family” she tearfully said, “they’re good to you.”
Meyer said she has moments when she can’t fight back the tears, especially when she thinks about how much she wants to live a normal life with her son, who just graduated from college.
"I want a kidney," she said.
But even in her moments of weakness, staff members said Meyer is a positive force.
"No matter what she’s going through, she tries to make the best of it," said Kidney Center staff member Amy Magnison. "This is a rough life for people. Most people don’t understand what it’s like for a typical dialysis patient."
Meyer is trying to find herself a kidney through her Facebook page and has even posted a decal on her car.
Meyer said she hopes someone somewhere will be a match if not for her, for someone else.
“Don’t take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here,” Meyer said.
If you would like to help Amy Meyer with her search and increasing medical bills visit her “Lunch Lady Needs A Kidney” Facebook page or contact her via email.
To join the donor registry, visit Donor Alliance or Donate Life.
For more information about the Kidney Center of Westminster, visit its website.
Meyer and her friend also make towels to help raise money for expenses. Visit the Towels for Transplant Facebook page here.
