Help Amir Fight Renal Tubular Acidosis

04/12/23 Update

Amir is slowly losing the ability to walk. His doctors suspect he may have a rare genetic disorder and so they recommended a full genome analysis. Please see the photo album link below for a screenshot of the estimated invoice for $2,560. 

Please help Amir’s parents cover this expense to find the source of his condition!!!

Invoice, diagnoses, and test results

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Hi, my name is George and I am fundraising for Amir, my baby cousin.

What is RTA?

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) occurs when the kidneys do not remove acids from the blood into the urine as they should. The acid level in the blood then becomes too high. Some acid in the blood is normal, but too much acid can disturb many bodily functions.

Common symptoms:

How does this affect Amir?

Amir was diagnosed with RTA six months ago. At 2 years old, Amir has experienced slow development of gross motor skills (from the waist down), preventing him from developing and growing normally. He cannot kick a ball, he cannot walk, and he cannot run like his friends. And seeing that he is unable to perform activities that other children do easily, has started to affect him mentally. Most recently, during an MRI exam, Amir was diagnosed with Myelopathy (injury to the spinal cord) from a small bulb found in his brainstem, potentially a complication of his RTA.

Why Amir needs your help:

Amir lives with his parents in a town outside of Caracas, Venezuela. Due to the country’s ongoing socioeconomic and political crisis, over 95% of Venezuelans live in poverty, while more than 70% live in extreme poverty. Amir’s parents are lucky to have a home and provide adequate food, but they do not make enough money to pay for the medical expenses resulting from Amir’s condition.

Furthermore, with knowledge of Amir’s RTA, insurance providers refuse to cover Amir or don’t provide coverage for RTA. To date, Amir’s parents have spent $1,000 out of pocket for diagnostic exams. They anticipate spending roughly $2,000 every six months for the next 4 years.

A note from Amir’s father, Juan:

I, Juan José Chakra, live in Venezuela, and my son has been diagnosed with renal tubular acidosis and recently developed a 16mm x 16mm lump in his neck. I need your help to pay for the tests and treatment expenses since my country's situation is so dire. I thank you wholeheartedly for your small contribution to help in healing my son. God bless you.

Yo Juan José Chakra, vivo en Venezuela y mi hijo está presentando asidosis tubular renal y le salió un bulto en la cervical que mide 16mm x 16mm. Necesito de su caridad para que me ayuden a costear los gastos de los exámenes y tratamiento ya que está muy fuerte la situación en este país. Les agradezco con el alma su pequeño aporte para sanar a mi hijo. Dios los bendiga.