Hello,

My name is Stephanie, and I am creating this GoFundMe to help with my husband Stephen’s medical expenses, the reinstatement of his health insurance, and basic living expenses while he is unable to work consistently.

At this moment, Stephen is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to complications related to his kidney failure. While we are hopeful and trusting God, his condition is serious, and the medical care he is receiving is extensive. This hospitalization has created an immediate financial strain, as well as an emotional one, and has made it clear that we need help now more than ever.

Stephen comes from a family with a long history of kidney disease on his mother’s side. His mom passed away when he was just 16 years old—right in his arms—due to complications following a kidney transplant. His grandfather, one uncle, and two cousins have also lost their lives to kidney disease. Stephen is the only one who has made it into his 40s, and I desperately want him to continue living. I simply cannot lose him.

Stephen went into complete renal failure six years ago and has been on dialysis ever since. He currently does peritoneal dialysis at home every single night. He is on the kidney transplant list, but he is currently on hold because we lost his health insurance when we could no longer afford coverage for both of us.

My husband is self-employed and works manual labor installing window treatments in homes, businesses, schools, and churches. Over time, his health has declined to the point where I must work alongside him every day because he can no longer physically do the work on his own. He desperately wants to keep working and refuses to apply for disability because he believes that would be giving up.

Just when we think we might be getting ahead—catching up on bills or repairing a vehicle—Stephen ends up hospitalized again. These setbacks have made it impossible to stay financially stable. I have begged him to apply for disability, but he refuses because we still earn slightly more with what he is able to do now, and because he believes stopping work would mean giving up on life itself.

I have struggled with the decision to start a GoFundMe for years, but I am now at a point where I don’t know what else to do. I have reached out to countless resources and explored every possible option to get help for my sweet husband. I have even tried to be tested as a kidney donor for him, but they will not test me unless Stephen has two active health insurance policies.

We are hard workers. We are good people. But no matter how hard we try, it has not been enough. If Stephen continues to push himself any further, he is putting his life at risk.

My husband is incredibly prideful and never asks for help. He is one of the kindest, hardest-working men I know and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. I am swallowing my own pride and asking for help so he can finally have some relief—financially and emotionally—and focus on staying alive.

Any funds raised will go toward medical bills, health insurance, household bills such as rent, utilities, groceries, vehicle repairs, and other essential living expenses while Stephen continues treatment and awaits a transplant.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who is able to donate. If you are not able to give, we completely understand—sharing this fundraiser or keeping Stephen in your prayers means just as much to us. We hope one day we are able to help others the way we are asking for help now.

Thank you so much, and God bless