Christian Knightly's Kidney

The pain of a kidney stone is second only to that of natural childbirth, and the stress of unpaid medical bills doesn't fall far behind. Christian, my boss and friend of seven years, recently discovered, after spending an entire day in the emergency room, that he has a 3 cm stone in his left kidney. It's so large it is physically impossible for him to pass naturally, requiring him to visit a Urologist in order to have a stent inserted and a lithotripsy procedure performed in order to break up the stone for passage. 

Christian is one of the many Floridians who fell into "the gap" with Obamacare, making just enough money not to qualify for Medicaid, and not enough to allow for "affordable care" through the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, this visit to the ER, the doctor's visits to the Urologist, and the procedures he's needed in order to pass what could have become a life-threatening stone are going to cause him years of debt. Debt that will only further hinder his ability to afford healthcare, and possibly lead to the dissolution of the business he has owned and operated for seven years -- a business that is the livelihood for himself, his business partner, and two employees.

Christian is an active and cherished member of two local churches, Summit and Northland. He's participated in many humanitarian endeavors, including filming videos for orphanages in Ukraine, Africa, and in Haitii (post-earthquake) to raise awarness and support for the conditions these children were living under. He is a caring and generous person with a genuinely good heart who has fallen into a dire situation that couldn't be helped.

2014 has been a difficult year, financially, for himself and his business. Christian needs our help to pay these hospital bills, so he can continue to support himself and those who rely on him. I'm asking for help to care for my friend, the person who has always been the first in line to help others in need.