Ivonne and I met when I was 4, hiding behind my mom's skirt as she introduced herself to me as my new babysitter.  Her daughter Johanna and I became best friends, and I consider Ivonne my second mom. She helped raise me and taught me what being a good person meant. I look up to her compassion, her sillyness, her love. 



During the entire time I've known her, she's had polycystic kidney disease, only it's gotten progressively worse in the last eight years.  Her kidneys are failing, and her liver is covered in cysts now, too. She's in a lot of pain due to the pressure the cysts push on her belly ... it causes some secondary issues like a fractured rib and a litre of fluid around her heart.

We're raising this money so she can go to Colombia and meet with a doctor there to see if a double transplant is viable (she doesn't have enough time for the california transplant list). She's flying there in December, so the money is needed ASAP. 

The money will be used for: 
- the flight
- medical exams
- evaluations
- specialists
- living arangements close to the hospital
- transportation
- food

Ivonne, Johanna, Yeny (Jenny) and I would walk to the cemetery down the street from my house and eat lunch in the park. She gives the best hello / goodbye hugs, sweet and warm. Her silly faces can win contests. She is a woman of God, as is her family. If you can't donate a few dollars, please donate a few words to Him. She needs these transplants, there isn't much time. Any donation will help, and we are so grateful for you. 

Thank you, and much love.

- Ivonne, Vlad, Johanna, Natasha, Yeny, Sarah
(below are some photos that show her spirit)