Donavon Standing Ready Kidney Transplant Fund

Laine Cholak organise cette cagnotte.

Don protégé

My name is Laine Cholak (McGinley), I have called Alberta my home since the young age of 18 months. I love this province and I love this country. I am a health advocate striving to improve, empower and support transformational change for the betterment of all. I hope you take a few minutes to read why I felt compelled to start a GoFundMe for Donavon Standing Ready’s kidney transplant after a day in September 2022 that I will never forget.

Today, September 30th, 2023, is Truth and Reconciliation Day and though I, a privileged white, educated female acknowledge the injustices and generational traumas that continue, I felt compelled as a citizen of this great country to actively take steps to help where I can and continue to build my own and others awareness.

Donavon is only 36 years-old, but as you can see from the picture his body has been through extensive trauma as a result of being born with 1 kidney. Donavon was diagnosed at a young age with chronic kidney disorder. At 25 he was given a end-stage kidney failure diagnosis. He needed a transplant. He has undergone countless surgeries, dialysis and will not give up.

On that fateful day in September 2022, Donavon and his family were enjoying the last days of their vacation in Alberta, after attending a Powwow in Morley, Alberta. I was heading to my family cabin in British Columbia, when I witnessed a van violently pull to the narrow shoulder and come to a screeching halt. Alannah, a stranger at the time, ran from the drivers seat around towards the passenger side, along with their oldest child. I knew something was wrong. I stopped, came around the van as Donovan fell from the van into his wife's arms, with no signs of life.

Alannah started providing CPR to her husband, who was in full cardiac arrest. All of their children were in and around the vehicle witnessing something that no child should ever have to witness, their daddy unresponsive and in medical distress. Thankfully, another motorist pulled over who was also a health practitioner, and we immediately took over for Alannah doing CPR, and called for an ambulance. One of the questions asked by the operator included his race, then if this is a suspected overdose. As a health professional, I knew this was not an overdose and Alannah was sharing all of the relevant and long medical history. When someone is in cardiac arrest their race or cultural background is not a priority. We prayed and time ticked by, 10 minutes, 20 minutes and finally at 30 minutes of CPR, we heard sirens. When the paramedics took over, my attention turned to the family. We prayed, we hugged, we told Donavon to not GIVE-UP, keep FIGHTING FOR YOUR FAMILY. Donavon was loaded into the ambulance and Alannah was directed to follow - I provided her with a cell phone charger and my phone number.

I drove away crying, feeling defeated, and wishing I could have done more. I continued to pray for his survival and to give his family strength and courage.

I was grateful when I received a text the following evening, stating that he was ALIVE, but on life-support and they needed prayers. She thanked me and others that helped. I have learned to never underestimate the power of family, faith and love. He fought hard, with his family by his side and woke up over three weeks later, with an incredible story of what he saw and experienced while being technically dead for 30 minutes.

Donavon is a MIRACLE. The doctors expressed the odds of his survival were nil, and not having any brain damage is unbelievable. He went for 30 minutes with no signs of life, and he SURVIVED.

After almost a month in hospital, he and his family were able to travel home to Manitoba. But, this event only brought more stress to Donavon’s failing kidney and a role of his quality of life and mental wellness. This has impacted the quality of life and wellness of his wife, Alannah and their amazingly bright and strong children, whom live in constant fear they might lose him.

He is alive and grateful, but knows he is on borrowed time and desperately needs a kidney transplant.

During the StandingReady’s are grateful, but being out of province and having a dire medical emergency has led to substantial financial strain. This ongoing stress continues with preparing for transplant. Such as medical treatments, long distance commutes to hospitals, medical supplies, medications, not to mention the@ cost of raising a family of 7.

The StandingReady’s live on a Reserve in Manitoba. They are proud of who they are and where they come from, but have faced so much adversity it’s become ‘normal’- this breaks my heart. Alannah has taught me one of the most important steps moving forward with reconciliation is community-inclusion.

The apartment style housing they live in was built with good intention, but lacked a sustainability and preventative maintenance program, which has resulted in the growth of toxic mold and other safety issues. This is not the first time they have had to pick and move due to unsafe living conditions. Alannah has asthma and began to get ill, then their children became ill. They called every resource they were aware of to get help and are currently in a temporary living arrangement 1 hour away from the Reserve, which is where the children go to school.

Donavon is a true family man and made the scary but necessary choice to pack what they good and find temporary housing until a permanent and safe option is attainable.

Both Donovan and Alannah are amazing indigenous crafters and artists. They work hard to make one of a kind authentic indigenous pieces and sells what she can to make ends meet. She has been using Facebook to hold live events to auction items. Their support network is minimal, and are not financially equipped to help more than they have. I am going to work with Alannah and Donavon to see if we can also boost their sales, to get their amazing pieces shared from coast to coast.

Donavon and his family have advocated, prayed and recieved confirmation that he will be getting a transplant likely before 2024. He is already on borrowed time. They hope for a call any day, but until he is in the hospital on his way to the operating room they will remain cautiously optimistic.

I am asking for your help on behalf of this amazing family, the StandingReady's to raise enough funds to reduce the financial burden they are and will continue to face until Donavon receives a transplant and recovers.

This family would never ask or expect a hand-out, which is what compelled me to initiate this GoFundMe. They have taught me so much about kindness, faith, and the power of togetherness. When Alannah learned of my plan, she said, “I don’t think anybody would care”, and could not hold back her tears of appreciation.

All donations that come from this will directly go towards medical costs, finding a safe place to live, caregiving during recovery, groceries, utilities, clothing and basic-life necessities that many of us take for granted.

My goal is to raise $10,000 which will not solve, but help this family to keep on fighting!

I know with the help of you, my family, friends and professional network we can surpass this goal!

PLEASE SHARE, PLEASE DONATE.

When we know better, we do better ~ Maya Angelou

So let’s do better!!!

My sincerest thanks for taking the time to read this story. I will continue to post updates, family photos and any additional information those that want to follow and support this young family that have so much to contribute to society. YOU can help SAVE a life and change the lives of many in supporting this cause.

I acknowledge that I am living on land that is not mine, and that it’s time to not only acknowledge, but as citizens of this great country do our part to actively contribute in anyway they can, even if it’s one family at a time.