Sister Marianne Supan Raises
Funds for Kidney Transplant for Zulecia

Zuleica Arano Estrada

Schaumburg, Illinois, January 11 – Many parishes raise funds for a new church, a local soup kitchen, or a favorite charity. But Sister Marianne Supan, OP, and members of her parish, Church of the Holy Spirit, were part of a community-wide effort to raise $100,000 for a unique cause: a kidney transplant.

The two-year effort was successful on two fronts: Zuleica Arano Estrada, now 23, received her new kidney on September 15, 2008. In addition, the fund-raising projects brought together the efforts of Church of the Holy Spirit; Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Illinois, under the direction of Pastor Jean Duran; about 20 area churches in all; and numerous individuals and community groups.

Sister Marianne became involved in the fund-raising efforts in 2005 when Zuleica approached her and asked for her help in raising funds for her kidney transplant. Zuleica, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, came to the United States with her family when she was nine and is not yet a citizen. “It [would have been] hard to turn her away,” Sister Marianne said, noting that her brother had died of a kidney disease in Mexico.

Zuleica had been on dialysis in her home since around 2000. Years later, while still waiting for her new kidney, she had to undergo hemodialysis at Children’s Memorial Hospital three times a week. Because of her illness, Zuleica had to drop out of Bartlett High School during her sophomore year.

 “We had a lot of fund-raisers,” Sister Marianne explained. “We sold everything we could get our hands on.” Fund-raising events by local churches included a puppet show on Moses, presented by the youth ministry’s Puppet Ministry and held at Church of the Holy Spirit. Living Lord held numerous fund-raisers, including a flea market and bake sale; a vendor fair; a benefit concert and silent auction; a spaghetti dinner and variety show; Battle of the Bands; and offerings from participants in their vacation Bible school. The local community also raised funds through such events as skate-a-thons, candlelight bowling, and special deals by local restaurants and businesses.

Many area churches gave one-time donations, and one gave monthly donations for several months, Sister Marianne said. She was especially grateful to her own parishioners, and to the parishioners of Living Lord for their great efforts on behalf of somebody who was not of their faith. “They are outstanding examples of faith in action,” she said.

The community fund-raisers were necessary because of the numerous obstacles and challenges that Zuleica faced. Because she is not a legal resident of the U.S., she was ineligible for help from various transplant foundations and could not be placed on a donor registry. The hospital required that she provide her own donor, along with $100,000 for the operation.

Zuleica found her own donor relatively easily: her mother, Lucina Estrada. Even this willing donor faced some obstacles, however. Sister Marianne noted that most people over 50 cannot donate a kidney, and that usually mothers are not allowed to donate to their children. Zuleica’s mother was eventually cleared as a donor after testing, provided by the University of Illinois.

Sister Marianne said she learned one important lesson from these efforts: “Never give up hope.” Zuleica never gave up hope, even after four years of battling kidney disease, Sister Marianne pointed out. “She not only appreciates [her new kidney], but she also has a chance to have her life.”

Zuleica plans to earn her GED and find a job that would enable her to pay for her anti-rejection medicine, which costs about $1,000 per month. Until then, Church of the Holy Spirit and Living Lord Church are raising funds to help pay for these medicines. Donations are still being accepted. Checks can be made out to the Zuleica Arano Estrada Fund and mailed to Sister Marianne Supan, OP, at Church of the Holy Spirit, 1451 W. Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194 or to mail your check to Account Number 4800394465 at Harris Bank Streamwood, 185 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood, IL 60107.