Help Us Save Kaysen

Kaysen needs a Liver and Kidney Transplant ASAP

On May 16th our entire world was flipped upside down. At 9 months old Kaysen was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1. His liver produces too much oxalate, which then bonds to the calcium in his blood and sends crystals throughout his body. This disease attacks the kidneys, eyes, heart, brain, bones and thyroid.

We were too late to save his kidneys. After months of visits to his pediatrician, we took him to the ER to try and get answers. He was already in kidney failure and in critical condition. Within 24 hours of being admitted to the PICU at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, we were life flighted to Seattle Children's Hospital where he had to be sedated and placed on a ventilator. He had a hemodialysis port placed in his chest, while they desperately tried to stabilize him on a special dialysis for critically ill patients.

After 5 long weeks, he was finally stable enough for us to be transported back to Doernbecker where we have been for the past 3 months. Since then, he's had a peritoneal catheter placed along with a feeding tube (GTube). He undergoes 10 hours a night of peritoneal dialysis and 4 hours a day of hemodialysis. Since the body stores extra oxalate in the tissues and bones, it continues to be released into the bloodstream, so even with 14 hours a day of dialysis, Kaysen's oxalate levels remain high.

Our family is struggling

My husband and I have not been able to work as we have a 5 year old at home who also has his own special needs. One of us stays at home with him while the other stays at the hospital with Kaysen, we switch every few days. We are relying solely on our savings that is quickly running out.

We are currently working on being tested for Living Donation, and we hold out hope that one of us will be a match. Organs from the same donor would give Kaysen the best chance of his body not rejecting the new organs. If we are not a match, he will be placed on the liver transplant list, and once he's big enough, the kidney transplant list.

Even through all the horrors, Kaysen has never lost his smile. He's the sweetest boy that loves giving kisses and is the biggest goof. Through everything, he charms his nurses daily and loves being around people. Though every day is a struggle, he continues to be the light of everyone's day - the tiny mayor of 10North, the hospital unit.

We are reaching out through GoFundMe to ask for your support in helping us during this difficult time so we can:

We cling to the hope that one day we will have our boys home together again. Any donation helps, if you're unable to donate we ask that you kindly share this page with your community.

Words will never express the gratitude we feel towards each and every person who takes the time to read our story and help in any way they're able.

Love,

Cerrissa, Dane, Kyler and Kaysen