Keanna's Medical & Travel Expenses
Donation protected
Meet Keanna:
My name is Keanna and I am 11 years old and I live in London, Ontario. I love panda bears, playing outside, singing and dancing. But what you don’t know is, I have a very rare kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS ) A rarer form of Nephrotic Syndrome. It effects approximately 1:100,000 people. I was only 6 years old when the doctors figured out what was wrong with me.
What are the impacts of FSGS nephrotic syndrome? The kidneys leak large amounts of protein which effects my electrolytes and creatine level, among other things. I take over 20 different medications throughout the day via my g tube. Without these medications my whole body swells. They also help control my blood pressure, cholesterol levels, phosphate and potassium. I have a very strict diet as well that I have to follow every day. I am on a low sodium, low phosphate and low potassium diet and I am only allowed to drink 1200 mls each day!
During the last two years I have been in and out of hospital several times with stays lasting from a few days to a few months. I am now at end stage renal failure and I am in need of a new kidney. The donor needs to have type O blood. I am hoping someone can be a living donor or I will have to wait for a deceased person's kidney. I have been told the second option can take up to four years. The wait list is very long.
My parents take really good care of me. They have to prepare my medications several times a day, take my blood pressure and check my weight. My parents also take turns staying with me in the hospital and help with my care. While in the hospital my big sister comes and hangs out with me after school. We love doing crafts and watching movies together. When I am not in the hospital I enjoy going to school and playing outside. Once a week my sister and I participate in Heroes Circles which is a karate program for kids like me who spend a lot of time at the hospital. I love my family so much!
This week (Monday March 9, 2015) I will be starting peritoneal dialysis in the hospital. This form of dialysis is done every night while I sleep. After two weeks I hope to be able to go home. Then my parents will hook up my cycler before I go to bed. A special fluid will wash and remove the waste products. It will even remove the extra fluids from my blood. The only way to get off of dialysis is to get a new kidney.
Unfortunately because of my age I will have to travel to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to get my new kidney. To prepare for the transplant I will have a huge work up and multiple trips to the big city before and after transplant. These appointments are over two hours drive each way from my house. There might be days I don't feel well and can't travel home after my tests.
Money raised from this campaign (started by my Aunt Dana and friend Lisa Hudel-Farquharson) will help tremendously! The generous donation you make will go towards my medical and travel expenses.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. It means a great deal to me!!!
Here are a few links you might like:
Kidney for Keanna (Facebook)
CTV London News story about Keanna
My name is Keanna and I am 11 years old and I live in London, Ontario. I love panda bears, playing outside, singing and dancing. But what you don’t know is, I have a very rare kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS ) A rarer form of Nephrotic Syndrome. It effects approximately 1:100,000 people. I was only 6 years old when the doctors figured out what was wrong with me.
What are the impacts of FSGS nephrotic syndrome? The kidneys leak large amounts of protein which effects my electrolytes and creatine level, among other things. I take over 20 different medications throughout the day via my g tube. Without these medications my whole body swells. They also help control my blood pressure, cholesterol levels, phosphate and potassium. I have a very strict diet as well that I have to follow every day. I am on a low sodium, low phosphate and low potassium diet and I am only allowed to drink 1200 mls each day!
During the last two years I have been in and out of hospital several times with stays lasting from a few days to a few months. I am now at end stage renal failure and I am in need of a new kidney. The donor needs to have type O blood. I am hoping someone can be a living donor or I will have to wait for a deceased person's kidney. I have been told the second option can take up to four years. The wait list is very long.
My parents take really good care of me. They have to prepare my medications several times a day, take my blood pressure and check my weight. My parents also take turns staying with me in the hospital and help with my care. While in the hospital my big sister comes and hangs out with me after school. We love doing crafts and watching movies together. When I am not in the hospital I enjoy going to school and playing outside. Once a week my sister and I participate in Heroes Circles which is a karate program for kids like me who spend a lot of time at the hospital. I love my family so much!
This week (Monday March 9, 2015) I will be starting peritoneal dialysis in the hospital. This form of dialysis is done every night while I sleep. After two weeks I hope to be able to go home. Then my parents will hook up my cycler before I go to bed. A special fluid will wash and remove the waste products. It will even remove the extra fluids from my blood. The only way to get off of dialysis is to get a new kidney.
Unfortunately because of my age I will have to travel to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to get my new kidney. To prepare for the transplant I will have a huge work up and multiple trips to the big city before and after transplant. These appointments are over two hours drive each way from my house. There might be days I don't feel well and can't travel home after my tests.
Money raised from this campaign (started by my Aunt Dana and friend Lisa Hudel-Farquharson) will help tremendously! The generous donation you make will go towards my medical and travel expenses.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. It means a great deal to me!!!
Here are a few links you might like:
Kidney for Keanna (Facebook)
CTV London News story about Keanna
Organizer
Sara Shrubsall
Organizer
London , ON
