​Stella’s Legacy: Founding the "Stella’s Friends" Foundation

​Stella was a warrior. Her fight against rare kidney disease inspired thousands, and while she has crossed the rainbow bridge, her mission is just beginning.

​We are officially transitioning this campaign to launch Stella’s Friends Foundation. Our goal is to ensure that no family has to face the agonizing choice between their pet’s life and an impossible vet bill.

​Where Your Donation Goes Now:

​Closing the Battle: Our immediate priority is settling the remaining $4,500 in emergency veterinary debt incurred during Stella’s final fight.

​Launching the Mission: Every dollar raised beyond that debt will serve as the founding "seed money" to legally establish Stella’s Friends as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

​Emergency Grants: Once established, the foundation will provide financial assistance to families facing sudden, life-threatening veterinary crises.

​Stella's fight ended, but her legacy of protection is just starting. By donating or sharing today, you are a founding supporter of a movement to keep families together when they need it.

————————————————————————-Help Stella Fight: Emergency Kidney Care for a Warrior

​Organized by: Cassie Donoho

​Hi everyone,

​I’m writing this for one of my best friends, Kurtis, and his incredible dog, Stella.

​For the last five days, Stella has been fighting for her life at Capital Veterinary Specialists. What started as a normal day turned into a nightmare: Stella is in acute kidney failure and is "leaking" critical proteins from her kidneys. It has been heartbreaking to watch, and we are currently at a crossroads.

​While the doctors haven't confirmed the cause, Kurtis has a strong suspicion. The day before Stella got sick, they were swimming in the bay, and he believes she may have been exposed to blue-green algae toxins. Through tireless research and the help of an AI collaborator, Gemini, Kurtis found a specific case study from Montana where a dog in the exact same position—5 days into kidney failure—was saved by a medication called Oral Cholestyramine.

​The Challenge:

Stella’s current facility is amazing, but they don't carry this specific medication and don't have the specialized resources to monitor a "last-effort" treatment like this. To give Stella her best (and perhaps only) shot, we need to get her to a university teaching hospital—like Auburn University or the University of Florida—where they have the advanced equipment (like dialysis and plasma exchange) to support her body while this medication works to flush the toxins out.

​Why we need your help:

Moving a dog in critical condition and starting advanced university-level treatment is incredibly expensive. Between the transport, specialized ICU monitoring, and the potential for dialysis sessions (which can cost $3,000+ each), the bills are mounting faster than anyone could prepare for.

​Stella is a fighter. She has made it through 5 days of this crisis already, which shows just how much she wants to be here. Kurtis is doing everything humanly possible to save her, but he can't do it alone.

​Every dollar raised will go directly toward:

​Emergency transport to a university specialty hospital.

​Advanced kidney treatments (Dialysis/TPE) if the specialists deem her a candidate.

​The life-saving Oral Cholestyramine treatment and 24/7 ICU monitoring.

​If you can’t donate, please share this link and keep Stella in your prayers. We are hoping this "shot in the dark" is the miracle she needs.

​Thank you for loving Stella as much as we do.

​#SaveStella #KidneyWarrior #BlueGreenAlgaeAwareness