In September, 18-year-old Esther Wright enrolled in the University as a biology major with a plan to be a medical doctor. But health problems forced Wright to withdraw before the completion of her freshman year.
After experiencing swelling in her legs, Wright went to the doctor in January, and was diagnosed with a mysterious and life-threatening illness.
At a glance
| WHAT: | The Good Samaritan Benefit Concert. The concert will include traditional Korean songs and dances performed by the church’s choir and orchestra. |
| WHEN: | Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. |
| WHERE: | Korean Central Church, 3360 Game Farm Road in Springfield. |
| WHEN: | Thu., Sep. 2nd |
| COST: | Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. |
“They haven’t found a cause but they know (my kidney) failed and they have to get a transfer,” said Wright, who was born and raised in Eugene, and graduated from Churchill High School.
Wright, who undergoes three kidney dialyses each week at Sacred Heart Medical Center, has a match: her father, Daniel, who will donate one of his kidneys to his oldest daughter next month at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.
The surgery will cost nearly $100,000, only about 80 percent of which will be covered by insurance. In addition, the medicine, for which Medicaid pays temporarily, will amount to $2,000 per month. To help out, members of the Wright family’s church, Korean Central Church in Springfield, are organizing a benefit concert Saturday night.
“All the Korean people in this area are very sad about the news,” said Pastor Byung Jun, who has known the Wright family for more than a decade. “We wanted to let the people in college pray for the family.”
The 90-minute concert will consist of the church’s choir and orchestra performing traditional Korean songs and dances, including the fan dance, puppet dance and drum dance.
“I hope many people enjoy (it) together, taste the Korean culture and (see) how beautiful it is to get together to help someone who needs help,” Jun said.
Wright said she is “thankful for my church members for putting the time in and thinking about me. I’m very grateful for that.”
After her kidney transplant, Wright – who was described by Jun as “bright, outgoing, smiling, wanting to help anyone who needs help” – hopes to resume her studies at the University.
“It was definitely the college experience I was expecting,” she said. “I made a bunch of new friends, I wish I could have done a little more before I had to withdraw.”
