Joe Raghanti: Kidney Transplant

Joe has Alport's disease, a congenital kidney disease that leads to kidney failure, usually at a relatively young age. Joe's kidney function has been declining dramatically since 2012 and he began dialysis more than a year ago. He is on the waiting list for a kidney and when he is finally called, he will face not only medical costs related to the transplant, but will also have to take a significant amount of time off work.
Joe has been devoted to working through this, insisting on doing at-home dialysis every night so that he can go to work every morning. I've heard him say, on more than one occasion, that he does not want to be a burden on anyone and that he wants to be able to 'pay his own way'. Lately, he has been increasingly worried about the potential financial devastation he and his wife Susi could be facing. The social worker through the Cleveland Clinic recommended that he organize a fund raiser, but he just cannot bring himself to take that step.
As his little sister, I alternate between thinking he walks on water and wanting to kick him in the shin, but I would do anything for him. Since I can't trade places with him, I thought I could take that step that he won't- I wanted to start this GoFundMe drive.
His courage and positive attitude inspire all of us and I am hoping we can help take some of this burden off his shoulders through this campaign to raise money for his transplant costs.