Hamilton teenager battles chronic kidney ailment.                   Back

An article from the Trenton Times on 2/27/03

by Andrew Kitchenman   photo by Martin Griff

Burek siblings from left: Amanda 19, Julie 15, and Ed 21 at St. Christopher's Hospital for children in Philadelphia. Julie, a ninth grader at Nottingham Hugh School, is on dialysis and awaiting a new kidney.

Hamilton:  Julie Burek could barely sit still.

With a broad smile and a loud laugh, the 15-year-old eagerly showed off two plastic hearts she recently made.

She sprang out of bed five minutes after undergoing dialysis at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a four hour treatment she began last week, after her remaining kidney stopped working.

"I hope I get better," she said "I don't like being sick."

On Feb. 13th, the ninth-grader was taken from Nottingham High School to Capital Health System at Mercer Hospital, then to St. Christopher's.

She has been in and out of Hospitals since she was 8 months old, when a cancerous tumor forced removal of her left kidney. When still a toddler, her right kidney was damaged by an infection. Now the kidney no longer functions and she must receive dialysis treatments until she gets a new kidney, her doctor  said.

"I'm very scared." Julie said.

The dialysis is being done through her neck, which means she can't participate on the swim team, her favorite activity.

"Right now I'm on a very disgusting diet," Julie said, noting favorite foods are "all the things on that red paper." (foods she can't eat).

She briefly left the hospital earlier this week then returned because of complications with the shunt -- the place where the dialysis machine is hooked to her body -- and will remain there for three more weeks, according to her brother, Edward Burek Jr.

Julie said she is interested in sports medicine and has thought about a career as a nurse, "I love to help people." she said.

The ordeal has been a strain on the family, but they have received support from friends, many at Nottingham.

Her mother is constantly at her bedside. Her father Edward Burek Sr. brother Edward Jr., 21, and sister Amanda, 19, visit her daily.

None of them can give her a kidney. Only her father shares Julie's blood type, but her had triple bypass surgery two years ago.

Edward Burek Sr. said he approached four doctors, but all rejected his offer.

Peggy Burek has a rare disease in her arms, high blood pressure and broke both kneecaps in a car accident.

The Family has difficulty keeping up with bills and is in danger of losing their house, Peggy Burek said.

Only Edward Burek Jr. has a job, working at the Princeton University Book Store. He nearly lost his leg four years ago after a rare injury cut off blood flow to his leg.

Peggy Burek said it is hard to handle the series of misfortunes. "You just sit up here and you just can't take it anymore. I go somewhere (with her husband) and cry."

Julie received dozens of handmade get-well cards from classmates. Her teacher, Bonnie Cusack, said Julie is fun in class. "When she feels well, she's very bubbly and loveable."

Last Friday, Edward Burek Jr. picked up cards and other gifts for Julie that were sent to the school by parent organizations and students.

Dr. Susan Conley, a St. Christopher's physician, said Julie's condition is not life-threatening but continuing dialysis can affect a patient's quality of life.

Each year there are about 12 new cases of kidney failure per 1 million children, she said.

Conley said Julie could wait about two years to receive a new kidney - from someone who has died or one donated by a friend or volunteer. The donor's blood must be compatible with Julie's, which is A positive. Bulletin: see below.

She said Julie is handling the situation well. " I think kids are amazingly resilient." Conley said.

Bulletin: Trenton Times 3-21-03  Dialysis teen needs O positive kidney

Hamilton - A 15-year old township girl in need of a kidney has a different blood type then was announced on Feb. 27th

Julie Burek, a freshman at Nottingham High School, has O positive blood. Her mother, Peggy Buruk, said she was informed by a doctor at St. Christopher's Hospital; for Children that Julie is not the blood type the family said she was.

Julie has received several offers from people who wanted to donate a kidney, but their A positive blood type didn't, match hers. Peggy Burek said.

Julie has returned home, but visits St. Christopher's in Philadelphia three times a week for dialysis. Peggy Burek said.

Julie is recovering from a second operation to provide an opening in her arm to connect with a kidney dialysis machine, her mother siad.

Donations to the Burek Family can be dropped off at the Nottingham High School main office, 1055 Klockner Rd. Hamilton, N. J.    Let's help this family  Al

Or you can mail any donations to the

Burek Family in care of

Nottingham High School

1055 Klockner Road

Hamilton, N. J.  08619-3087

Below is an article from the Trenton Times on Sept. 16th 2002