Hi, I’m Cole! My daddy calls me BooBoo Dubby Dubs. I’m just like any other 12-year-old kid with one big exception. When I was 1 ½ years old, I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome. I started doing dialysis soon after to clean the toxins out of my body. When I was 5, I had an unsuccessful kidney transplant. It didn’t work, so I undergo dialysis treatment 10-12 hours on a machine every night. It keeps me from being able to play with friends, have a sleepover, or do fun activities that other kids can do. I’m also limited in my activities because the nephrotic syndrome makes my bones more brittle. I can tell you, it’s no fun to break your leg three times in the same place.

This year brings about a very exciting time for me. After a lot of conversation with doctors, hospital appointments, and waiting, I am going to receive a new kidney! Very soon, I will be listed again for transplant. If all goes well, I will have my new kidney before the end of this year. While I live in Seattle, the transplant will happen in Los Angeles. This means that I’ll need to move to LA temporarily while we wait for the call that my kidney is available. We aren’t sure how long the wait will be, only that we need to be ready. I’m very excited for this to become a reality! Once my kidney is working, I’ll be there several extra months for recovery before coming back home.

I’d like to ask for your help for my parents. While this procedure will give me an entirely new lease on life, the cost is much more than expected. Travel, appointments, living costs, tutors, and time off work for medical leave are a lot for my parents to bear. LA is expensive. Rent itself is almost double what we pay in Seattle. Dad and mom are taking care of me, so I want to help take care of them. We are trying to raise $20,000 to help with expenses. Anything you can give is very much appreciated, no matter how big or small. There is no expectation! Any funds left over will go into an account for me, because I will need to have another transplant in the future. You’ll be helping me live a better life for many years to come!

Thank you so much!