It’s not in my nature to ask for help but it has become exceedingly important that I do so now for my family.
My wife, Christine, has monitored and more recently has battled Chronic Kidney Disease. Over the last decade, she has been remarkably diligent in advocating for her health, following the guidance and recommendations of her medical specialists, taking her prescription medications, attending medical appointments, has maintained a healthy diet and lifestyle, and has welcomed alternative treatment options. Last summer, six months after she delivered our second child, her kidneys began failing rapidly and she was referred to a kidney transplant center for evaluation. She was told by experts in the field that she has limited time with her current kidney function.
Once her kidney function declines completely, she will need to begin dialysis or undergo a kidney transplant. While a transplant is the better option, it does not come without risk. Sadly, her father passed away at 50 years old from cancer due to immunosuppression following a kidney transplant.
Our goal is to postpone dialysis and/or transplant for as long as possible in hopes of extending Christine’s life. She is currently at the threshold of requiring dialysis or a transplant. We want her to be around for as long as possible for our children. Aside from her poor kidney function, anyone who has ever known her knows that she has always been active, adventurous, and full of life. We feel she still has a lot more life to live.
Christine recently reached out to a stem cell expert for information on treatment outcomes for patients with her condition and she has a small window of opportunity to receive stem cell therapy in hopes to improve her kidney function and buy her more time with us. Once her kidney function drops further, she will no longer meet the criteria to receive treatment and will have no choice but to begin dialysis and/or wait for a transplant. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the cost of the stem cell treatments. The goal listed would cover her stem cell retrieval and her first two treatments to get her started.
We are doing all we can to save for this, and while it is foreign and uncomfortable for us to ask for help, we would welcome any and all support at this time. Thank you in advance for your consideration and prayers. It means the world to us and we are so grateful.
- Nick, Christine, Blakely, and Reef