Kidney Aid for Chris

Dear Family, Friends and Strangers,


I would like to start off this passage with a heartfelt thanks for your immense care, concern and never-ending kindness in regards to my well-being and current situation.  Over the years, I have come to find that I am one of the luckiest people there is.  I cannot tell you how much it means to have such a strong and unified support group to help me through this. 

All I can do is say thank you, bless you and I wish each and everyone of you the bests in life.

This GoFundMe was started by myself from the suggestion of friends who have been in similar circumstances.  Many of those closest to me are aware situation, though there are some of you who aren’t familiar with it at all though I have known you for many years.  Health issues like these are hard to open up about for a variety of reasons, but below is a short dialogue on my journey.

In December of 2008, my life changed unexpectedly.  I was in my third year as an undergraduate at North Dakota State University, pursuing my double Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Anthropology.   I was always a smaller person, roughly 5’10" and a weight of 165 pounds.  As the semester drew on, I started to gain weight and was having trouble fitting into my clothes. Amongst my friends, I would joke, “I must be gaining the Freshman 15 a few years later” — but unknown to me, the issue was much more serious.


As the days went on, I began to notice that I was having a hard time walking, moving or even getting out of bed.   It was extraordinarily unusual for me — as I was always so full of energy, a happy spirit and active and I felt as if I was a shell of my former self.

For the longest time, I had the greatest fear of doctors and hospitals — like a lot of us do.  Knowing that things couldn’t be right, I went to my local health clinic on campus for a check-up to see what could be wrong. Instead of being my usual 165 pounds, I was tipping the scale at over 210 pounds.  I was retaining fluids all over my body and suffering from severe edema, exhaustion and a myriad of other issues.  At that time, I was told that I needed to admit myself to a hospital as soon as possible.  With the help of a dear friend, I checked in to MeritCare in Fargo and spent time in the hospital to have many tests ran, including a biopsy to determine what was going on.

After the results came back, I discovered I was suffering from a kidney disease known as Minimal Change Disease, accompanied with Nephrotic Syndrome.  I was in complete shock, because from my understanding, there was no hereditary issues of such nature in my family.   Since I am not too good with medical terms, you can read about the nature of my disease here. 

Over the course of the past six years or so, I have had frequent flare-up’s and relapses with this disease.   I am a steroid dependent case and must remain on those, along with other immunosuppresive medications to keep such occurences from happening.  As of now, there is no cure for for MCD/NS, only medications and treatments that help keep the symptoms at bay.   I can only hope and pray someday that advances in science and help solve this mysterious disease.


In early February of 2015 the signs of my MCD and NS came back full steam, like they had when I was originally diagnosed six years ago.  I was having trouble sleeping, eating and doing regular body functions on a daily basis. My abdomen, legs and other extremities began to swell with excess fluids and build-up my kidneys and body could not properly release from my body. I have been extraordinarily fatigued, sick and it has been a challenge to do day-to-day tasks.

I have had several visits with my doctors and they are concerned that my frequent relapses may mean the disease is progressing to FSGS, which can result in renal failure over time.    If so, the options for treating it (such as chemotherapy and dialysis) are much more difficult  and expensive than they are currently.    I will continue to be monitored and checked on regularly to ensure that I can be in the best of health, but such tests and visits are an extreme cost that I am struggling to afford.


Unfortunately, I do not have health insurance as I am a contract writer and freelance web and graphic developer — so everything is 100% out of my pocket. This unforeseen resurgence of my kidney disease has almost depleted my savings down to the felt. 

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to help assist me financially for my medical visits, treatments/medicine and associated expenses until my condition improves to where I can resume full-time work. 

I cannot tell you how humbling it is to ask for help.   I never thought it would have to come to this, but am hoping and praying that everything can get better soon.   As a good friend told me, "It's easier to go through the hardest times in life with the support of others to help lift you up." 

Thank you to everyone for your kindness and love.  I am forever grateful for any financial assistance that can be provided during this difficult time.   Your prayers, positive vibes and well wishes are just as beneficial.   The magnitude of impact they have cannot be measured by words we can speak.

I am blessed to have you all here along with me in my road to recovery.

Sincerely,



Christopher H.