Support for Ana

Hello everyone, my name is Yesenia and this is a fundraiser for my sister Ana.

As some of you know, Ana was just 19 years old when she was diagnosed with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks its own tissues causing inflammation and damage to vital organs. For Ana, her kidneys were affected, which led to a 9 ½ year journey of hemodialysis treatments and hospitalizations before she got her first kidney donation in February 2016. Many of you remember this day, I know I sure did because it happened on her birthday. Ana was reborn with a new kidney and her quality-of-life improved overnight. The kidney was a perfect match, so perfect, she didn’t have to receive hemodialysis anymore. It was the best birthday gift she could ask for, the Gift of Life.

However, her kidney came from a non-living donor, meaning it was only expected to last for 8-10 years versus a kidney from a living donor which typically lasts from 10-20 years for patients with SLE. In August of 2022, Ana started to experience complications from the donated kidney and began hemodialysis again to save it but only on a part-time basis, which was manageable for her since she had received this treatment in the past. Beginning November of 2022 thru January 2023 she had developed severe health complications which led to numerous hospitalizations over the course of two months which ultimately led to removing her kidney to save her life as the kidney was now causing life-threatening conditions. She was now fully dependent on hemodialysis once again to manage her health condition.

In March 2023, Ana was hospitalized again due to a pneumonia infection and while undergoing hemodialysis, her treatment was paused so she could go to the bathroom, upon returning to her chair, she collapsed, and her nurse initiated a “code blue”. All the nurses and doctors rushed to her room and began rounds of CPR. After a few minutes, they were able to resuscitate her. She suffered from bruised ribs and was in great pain following her resuscitation. The doctors still do not know why she collapsed. Recovery after CPR was difficult, but she was later discharged from the hospital and resumed her full-time hemodialysis treatments.

But Ana’s story doesn’t end there, in August she received news of another kidney donation and underwent her second transplant surgery on the 27th, this time on my birthday! She is currently recovering from this major surgery and her body is taking more time to stabilize, especially after all she’s gone through. The doctors say her prognosis is good, it will just take time.

Ana is now considered a “healthy person” since her second kidney transplant, which made changes to her insurance and is unable to receive SSI due to still being employed. Her medical expenses are now unpredictable as doctors are still monitoring her condition with the new kidney.

Throughout this entire journey, Ana has always found ways to support herself and her family until now—living expenses are very high in the Bay Area where her doctors are located. Your donation would help Ana with bills, such as rent, medical and travel expenses to and from her appointments until she can get back on her feet. Your donation would also support her goal of serving the children at Saint Vincent’s Day home. She has not been able to maintain a normal work schedule due to her delicate condition. Prior to her second transplant, she was beginning to work 3-hour workdays with a MonWedFri dialysis schedule (such a trooper!). Once again, she is off dialysis and is currently seeking other resources to help her afford living expenses and continue working with children beginning in January 2024 God willing.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story, pictured is her and the surgeon who performed her kidney transplant!

Sincerely,

Yesenia