Kidney Transplant 4 Chris
Donation protected
July 2013 I was given some of the worst news a parent can hear: your son has less than 10% kidney function and needs to go to BC Children's Hospital. That was the start of this journey.
Chris is an 19 year old boy who has a terminal illness. He is in end stage kidney failure. His kidneys do not work. He is on dialysis nightly for 10 to 12 hours, hooked up to a machine that try to pull the toxins from his body that his kidneys can't deal with.
He needs a kidney transplant!
He worries constantly about the future , not only his but about me and his sisters.
See, I divorced their father in 2006. It has been the 4 of us ever since. It's difficult to live on half my wages with my full expenses and debts, raising 3 kids now aged 12, 16, and Christopher now 19.
Travelling to and from Vancouver once a month for medical appointments is not cheap. My van died in January and I had to get a newer one, so that has added another bill to the collection.
After transplant Chris and I need to live in Vancouver for 3 months while still maintaining the house here in Vernon.
If Chris was under 17 there are places we could go for help. BUT now He's an adult but we are in this grey area of life and struggling.
Christopher is barely 19. He has been in end stage renal failure and on dialysis since July 2013. His life currently revolves around treatments, medications, bloodwork, working on his Grade 12, and exhaustion.
Chris is no longer eligible for the bulk of financial aid children waiting for transplant can get, but he also is still in school and unable to work. Income Assistance (welfare) does provide for his daily living but transplant time is going to be expensive.
His transplant will happen in Vancouver at BC Children's Hospital. We will be required to remain in Vancouver for 3 months.
We can stay at Ronald McDonald House or a subsidized housing through the Kidney Foundation but there is a cost as he is not legally a child.
I was given a letter from his Social Worker at the hospital outlining the expected costs for accommodation, travel to Vancouver, around Vancouver to his appointments, and parking. Adding in food and other costs the hospital social worker has told me to budget $20,000 for expenses in Vancouver for the 3 months!
On top of this I still have to pay my mortgage, utilities and normal bills for my home in Vernon as well food and other expenses for my 2 kids staying home with a friend caring for them.
Still I was told to budget $20,000 for 3 months! I don't have this kind of money! PLEASE HELP MY SON HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE!
We urge everyone to consider signing up as an Organ Donor. After all, other people can live with your generous gift after you don't need them anymore.
https://m.facebook.com/Kidney4Christopher
Be an Organ Donor
Chris is an 19 year old boy who has a terminal illness. He is in end stage kidney failure. His kidneys do not work. He is on dialysis nightly for 10 to 12 hours, hooked up to a machine that try to pull the toxins from his body that his kidneys can't deal with.
He needs a kidney transplant!
He worries constantly about the future , not only his but about me and his sisters.
See, I divorced their father in 2006. It has been the 4 of us ever since. It's difficult to live on half my wages with my full expenses and debts, raising 3 kids now aged 12, 16, and Christopher now 19.
Travelling to and from Vancouver once a month for medical appointments is not cheap. My van died in January and I had to get a newer one, so that has added another bill to the collection.
After transplant Chris and I need to live in Vancouver for 3 months while still maintaining the house here in Vernon.
If Chris was under 17 there are places we could go for help. BUT now He's an adult but we are in this grey area of life and struggling.
Christopher is barely 19. He has been in end stage renal failure and on dialysis since July 2013. His life currently revolves around treatments, medications, bloodwork, working on his Grade 12, and exhaustion.
Chris is no longer eligible for the bulk of financial aid children waiting for transplant can get, but he also is still in school and unable to work. Income Assistance (welfare) does provide for his daily living but transplant time is going to be expensive.
His transplant will happen in Vancouver at BC Children's Hospital. We will be required to remain in Vancouver for 3 months.
We can stay at Ronald McDonald House or a subsidized housing through the Kidney Foundation but there is a cost as he is not legally a child.
I was given a letter from his Social Worker at the hospital outlining the expected costs for accommodation, travel to Vancouver, around Vancouver to his appointments, and parking. Adding in food and other costs the hospital social worker has told me to budget $20,000 for expenses in Vancouver for the 3 months!
On top of this I still have to pay my mortgage, utilities and normal bills for my home in Vernon as well food and other expenses for my 2 kids staying home with a friend caring for them.
Still I was told to budget $20,000 for 3 months! I don't have this kind of money! PLEASE HELP MY SON HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE!
We urge everyone to consider signing up as an Organ Donor. After all, other people can live with your generous gift after you don't need them anymore.
https://m.facebook.com/Kidney4Christopher
Be an Organ Donor
Organizer
Kris Zacharuk
Organizer
Vernon, BC
