Charity dragging its feet for dying young woman - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Courtney Carroll is a young woman who kept a secret from most of her classmates during grade school.

"For a long time, I didn't tell any of my friends or family about what was going on but I knew in the end I would need a transplant," Carroll said.

That secret was Courtney had a rare illness called IgA Nephropathy, an illness that basically shuts down her kidneys.  She's was diagnosed at eight and was lucky enough to get that transplant in 2009, but good news would turn to bad.

"My body started to reject it and within a year, the disease itself had attacked the new kidney," Carroll said.

Courtney was now stuck on dialysis with mounting medical costs and everyday expenses.  A group of her mother's friends came together and created a website, foundation and fundraiser.  It was held last April to prepare for a second transplant.

Tami, Courtney's mother, said the foundation raised $15,000. Many of the donors involved thought the funds would also help the single mother who's self employed with expenses because Courtney has insurance for the actual surgery.

"We called it the Courtney Caroll Benefit so that we could raise funds to be available for our family to at least not have that constant stress of wondering how we are going to make it through those times," Tami said.

But Tami says when she needed the financial help the most she was told no by those who held the purse strings.

"They said no we're no it going to be able to pay those out until there is a kidney found and you guys go to Johns Hopkins for a kidney transplant and then it will be just for your expenses while you're there," says Tami.

The group with access to the funds is based in the Woodlands.  They're called Angels Across Texas.  We attempted to reach board members but they have yet to respond to our request.  

One member said they would have the organization's attorney call us.  We're still waiting to hear back.

In the meantime, the clock is ticking for Courtney whose time on this earth is limited.  If she doesn't get that second transplant, there's only so long she can survive on dialysis.

"This time around, I have 10 years," Courtney said.

Angels Across Texas Foundation released this statement:

"Angels Across Texas Foundation was created to assist donors, recipients and their families with certain out-of-pocket expenses related to organ transplant medical procedures.

"Angels Across Texas is not able to comment at this time; however, we would like to state that we have not received a request for disbursement of funds for any covered expenses.

"On behalf of Landra Raymond"