My name is Eleanor Dobson. This GoFundMe is for my resilient friend Christine Briley. This is her last resort after her declining physical health took a turn for the worse.

Christine was only 17 years old when Hurricane Katrina devastated her hometown of New Orleans. She relocated to the northeast out of necessity and since then constantly worked many jobs to support both her and her mother. Whether she was working as a receptionist, teacher’s aide, or chef, she worked exceptionally hard, at one point working 16 hour days, 6 days a week.

This busy schedule, though, would not be sustainable and would have lasting impacts on her body. Christine was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2015, while also suffering bouts of pancreatitis. As a lifelong diabetic due to genetics, she recognized the need to make some lifestyle changes and lost over 100 pounds before the COVID pandemic hit. Sadly, it wasn’t enough. In June of 2020, shortly after the pandemic started, she endured several heart attacks in a short period of time, resulting in kidney failure.

Her kidney failure led to home dialysis. Due to the gastroparesis and the home dialysis, she developed an infection that led to peritonitis which almost killed her. Getting through the ordeal meant she was on a feeding tube for 1.5 months. She then went off home dialysis to peritoneal dialysis since the veins in her body are no longer viable. She has one port in her leg that, while still usable, does not run well and causes issues every time she has dialysis. She has had multiple surgeries to unclog the vein so they can resume the treatment and will likely have many more. To make matters worse, the scheduling of dialysis and these surgeries results in long waiting times and missed days at work.

Christine continues to battle each day and seek answers and treatments to keep her alive. Unfortunately, Christine has United Health Insurance which has not made a deal with the Brown University Health System to cover her visits and treatments. It also means that she is not on the kidney list in Rhode Island and will need to continue to explore other options.

This only touches the surface of what Christine shared with me when she finally asked for help making this campaign. She has the emotional support of a loving mother and fiancée, but they can no longer keep up with the cost of living and medical bills. Despite all this, Christine is still working part time and will continue to do so until she is no longer able.

To say that Christine is at her last resort is an understatement. I am asking now, where our medical system has failed her, for our community to step up. If you are able to donate, even if it is a small amount, it will make a big difference while she battles her own body and the insurance nightmares. The money received from this campaign will go directly to Christine’s account to pay off a $1200 bill from Brown University Health, a $3000 dialysis bill, and a $6000 bill to Providence Access Care. Additional funds will go towards any additional $800 dialysis copays she receives and the other medical needs she faces.

If you cannot donate, sharing with your network and helping get the word out is just as important. Christine also asked for two things that don't cost a dime- your prayers and to become an organ donor if you are not one yet. Money is important in this journey (or we wouldn’t be asking), but Christine shared some wisdom with me as we chatted about this campaign - “All the money in the world didn’t help me when I had my heart attack.” It was her strength and God’s love that lifted her up so she can be here with us today. Now we need to show her that her community is ready to lift her up too.

From both Christine and I, thank you for reading this and any help you can give. God Bless!