Go, Kayna, Go!
Hello, everyone. I am starting this campaign to help my sister-in-law, Kayna Mendoza, cover her medical expenses. Kayna is a 20 year old metalurgical and materials engineering major at the University of Texas at El Paso. Kayna was a heavily recruited high-school softball all-star who decided to hang up her cleats in order to dedicate herself 100% to her studies. As a result, she currently holds a 3.5 gpa at UTEP, received a summer internship with DOW Chemical Co., and was provided the opportunity to study in South Korea for a semester... all while working a part-time job and being a dedicated, hard-working, and loving daughter, sister and aunt. Kayna was on track to graduate near the top of her class this past May until a most unfortunate turn of events. Upon returning from a successful semester in South Korea in January 2015, Kayna suddenly began suffering from unbearable joint pain along with several other serious medical complications. Routine tasks became more and more difficult and at one point she was even confined to strict bed rest. In addition to a pituitary adenoma (pituitary gland tumor that Kayna was diagnosed with in 2011) which contributes to random and recurring seizures; doctors additionally diagnosed Kayna with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which leads to excessive and painful bruising and bleeding resulting from extremely low platelet levels; severe anemia; and avascular necrosis (a bone and joint disorder leading to no/extremely low mobility and possibly complete joint replacement as well as confinement to a wheelchair). Kayna's treatment has consisted of a cocktail of prescription medications, frequent platelet and blood transfusions, and extensive joint surgery (in which holes were drilled into all of her major joints in hopes to stimulate circulation to her bone tissue).
Most people would be completely discouraged and throw in the towel after what Kayna has had to endure in such a short period, but she continues to persevere, and with the aid of a wheelchair and her mother, who has stopped working in order to provide around the clock care for her, she has returned to UTEP to complete her degree only one month after invasive surgery.
Kayna has endured so much, but she is is young and resiliant with so much promise still in her. There is no doubt in my mind that very soon she will overcome what, at this time, seems to be insurmountable odds. At the time of my writing this, she has already accumulated over $1 million in medical expenses, with $15 thousand of that already coming out of her parents' pockets. She is however, still in desperate need of funds that would cover her physical therapy and rehabilitation, and training of a service dog to assist her in day to day operations... both of which are expenses that are not covered by her family's insurance.
The Mendoza family asks that you prayerfully consider contributing to the effort to assist in paying for Kayna's already accumulated and continuing medical and recovery expenses. Kayna has so much good ahead of her, and she is investing her 100% effort toward her recovery, she should not have to lose sleep at night worrying how her family will be able to afford her treatment. Kayna Mendoza is one of the finest young people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Respectable young people like her are our future. LET'S INVEST IN OUR FUTURE. Every contribution will be greatly appreciated.