Suwanee Woman Needs Live Kidney Donor

A Suwanee woman has cleared one hurdle in her quest for a kidney transplant, but she and her family are hoping for more help.

Jennifer Wilkes, whose family operates Wilkes Meat Market in Suwanee, has been accepted into Piedmont Hospital's transplant program, according to her mother. The graduate of Parkview High School in Lilburn has been undergoing dialysis for three days a week since being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in 2009.

• Barbara O'Neal at Piedmont Hospial is Jennifer Wilkes' live donor coordinator: 404-605-4128.

Wilkes' mother, Judy Wilkes, noted in an email that Jennifer has been accepted into the Piedmont donor program. However, unless a live donor is tested and discovered, Jennifer Wilkes would have to go on the hospital's "deceased donor" program.

Jennifer Wilkes is four years down on that list, her mother said, which would not be good for her chances at survival. So a plea and search for a live donor is under way.

Already, the Wilkes family has been rallying around Jennifer. A cookbook, "Wilkes Family Traditions," was published in 2011 and is for sale as a fund-raiser. The cookbook includes many signature recipes.

Also, the cookbook includes a page that describes Jennifer's illness. She was on chemo for a year before the dialysis, and still must take two dozen medications daily to survive, the description page notes.

Can you help Jennifer Wilkes find a live donor for a kidney transplant? Tell us in the comments below, or email: judy_d_wilkes@yahoo.com.