Hello,

My name is Deitra and I started this gofundme for my sister, Chantae. She has been going through a LOT this last year and really needs support from her family, friends, and extended community. It is never comfortable or easy to say you need help, but sometimes life leaves you with no other choice.

Chantae is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known and I hope that the same love that she has put out there will come back to her at this time when she and her family really need it.

Watching her walk through this season has been difficult, but she has met each obstacle with grace and determination. She continues to be the best mom to her boys, a loving wife, an amazing sister and daughter, and wonderful titi. She wears many hats and has worked hard to push herself, even when she shouldn’t.

Below please read a letter from my sister explaining her current situation:

Hello everyone!

I've been working on being more open this year as heavy times roll my way, because I've learned that community is one of the most powerful tools to getting through our darkest hours.

Recently, another blow has hit, and my health has been targeted. Unfortunately, as my body attempts to get used to new treatments and medications, I rarely have energy and had to give up my job at Leaping Dog Art Studios - which, if you know me, you know I loved deeply.

The impact on our funds has been significant.

Whether you can give a lot or a little, all support is greatly appreciated.

As I come to terms with the impacts that chronic illnesses have on my life, I pray for the day when I'm on the right medication and have the physical ability to get back to working regularly and helping carry the financial burden of a family of 4.

For those who aren't aware of what things have looked like for me lately, I'll give you the rundown.

Following back to back deaths in the family, a close family member got very ill. The stress compounded and I believe that, combined with other unexpected stressors, sent my body into what I know now is a flare. Since December 2025, I've been in and out of doctors offices trying to figure out what's going on. After a lot of poking and prodding, we finally got an answer. I have something called IgA Nephropathy, an autoimmune chronic kidney disease. Unfortunately, the type I have is aggressive and complex. This is something I will live with for the rest of my life, and the current goal is to slow down the ongoing damage. There is significant scarring already on my kidneys, but with the proper care we can hopefully slow down the IgAN and push off the inevitable for as long as possible (dialysis & kidney transplants).

You may be wondering, why not get a transplant sooner than later so you can just be better? Well, unfortunately, IgA is part of my immune system, which means that even with a transplant, my immune system will eventually begin attacking the new kidney(s) as well. The overall goal of treatment is to hopefully reach remission to delay end-stage kidney disease.

On top of the IgAN, which is the most pressing issue at this time, there are other diagnoses that I've been hit with. Coming to terms with all this, in addition to other extreme issues I've been dealt, I am feeling so overwhelmed.

Asking for help, especially financially, is so difficult for me. But, I feel like I'm drowning. If you can find it in your heart to throw me a life raft, I would be so very grateful

Thank you for your consideration.