Kidney for Kenny

When Kenny was 15 months old a virus attacked his pancreas leaving him dependent on insulin to control his blood sugar. Since then, he has been my cousin Kenny, the juvenile diabetic.

Today - Kenny is just 33. We've always been close - our mom's had my big sister Danielle (cute one on the right) and Kenny 1 month apart (that's him holding Poopski - my grandma's dog). Then came his little brother Mike (bottom left - clearly up to no good) and then me three years later (thats me rocking the bowl cut Tweety Bird and Sylvester combo). I can't tell you how lucky I am to have grown up in such a close and fierce family. Although Melissa wins best bangs of the late 90's, Kenny is the fiercest. 

Kenny grew up in Wickliffe, Ohio and attended Wickliffe High School. Despite his diabetes, he has always lived an active life - soccer, baseball and Bowling at Wickliffe Lanes are just a few of his passions.

Kenny is a proud US Postal Carrier. In April 2019 Kenny's kidneys abruptly stopped working. He gained 50 lbs of fluid in just a few days signaling that something was very wrong. Kenny found out that he was in stage 5 kidney failure and would need a new kidney and pancreas to survive. For now, Kenny cannot work. He is focused on one thing, preparing his body for a new kidney.

Today Kenny's days are centered around dialysis (aka survival) - he is lucky enough to be managing his dialysis at home. Each day going through at least 9 hours of peritoneal dialysis (give it a google... ) while he waits for his new kidney. 

I don't know if you know, but kidneys are really stinking expensive. Like on average - $900,000 for a shot a healthy life. Worth it? YES!! Kenny is itching to get back to a life of work, family, friends, and adventure but in the meantime, we have a lot of work to get him ready for what is ahead. Emotionally, physically, and FINANCIALLY! 

As sad as this all sounds, our family is very excited. This could be the end of juvenile diabetes for Kenny.  If Kenny can get a kidney and pancreas donation, he will live a nearly normal life. That means no more insulin shots, no need to be hooked up to clean his blood every night, no more overwhelming nausea, no more crippling muscle cramps, no more diabetic comas, no more deteriorating vision, no more wondering if he is going to wake up in the morning...we will stop there. This is a life changer and we need your help. 

We will share more information about his journey, and a fundraiser we are holding on August 10th but in the meantime, share this page with your friends and family. Every little bit counts. 

Love ya cuz! 

Jess