Jason Rosenstengel was enjoying life before his world turned upside down.  He and his wife, Mandy are very very proud of their 2 children. His son, Braden, is following in his Dad's footsteps, quickly becoming a top-notch drummer and he's only 14.  His step-daughter, Shelby, blessed him with a precious grand-daughter last July.  Jason has been working at Fulton Middle School the past seven years as a paraprofessional for the Special Needs program.  Jason continues to work toward his lifelong dream by attending college. He currently needs 2 more classes to earn his Bachelor's degree and then become certified as a Special Needs teacher. 
But in February 2015 at a routine annual check-up life changed drastically.  Jason and his doctor had not previously been aware that Jason had a genetic kidney disease.  In May 2015, Jason had to have his cancerous  right kidney removed to save his life.  Jason's left kidney was only functioning at 11% so Jason went on dialysis.  Since that time he has been in and out of the hospital with numerous complications. He has been off work about as much as he has been at work. He was not able to work his part-time summer job at the school and has cut the number of hours he works at his other part-time job.  His wife, Mandy, works at Fulton State Hospital and she has taken a lot of time off too so she can be with him at the hospital.  Mandy has had to cut back on her hours at her part-time job also. 
In the meantime, bills continue to mount!  Fortunately, Jason has 80% medical insurance but 20% of thousands of dollars is still thousands of dollars they don't have! With their loss of income and the daily expenses of traveling to Columbia doctors, hospitals and dialysis -  life has become a real struggle!
Recently, Jason's nephrologist found  a spot on his left kidney and informed Jason it would likely need to be removed also.  You can only imagine the devastation this loving couple felt!  But, they both believe there is always a rainbow - a few days after hearing this awful news they learned from a friend who had volunteered one of her kidneys that she is a match for Jason!! Oh, such joyful news!  A live transplant is the most successful kind! The transplant surgery will be scheduled within the next couple of months. 
And  while they should be jumping with joy, relieved that Jason's life may eventually get back to normal, their financial struggles have become so extreme they cannot focus on anything else but finding groceries for today, gas for tomorrow, explaining to the bill collectors that they will try to pay when they can.
And just like the average family, neither one of them like to ask for help - But as a close family member watching their struggles - I have no qualms about asking anyone and everyone - Please! Can you help?
Every dime raised will help this kind, loving, generous couple pay their medical bills, make their mortgage payments, pay their utility bills, get their car fixed and get back to a full, productive life again. 
They truly believe there is a Rainbow! After all the fears, anxieties, struggles and disappointments they have faced this past year and a half they have persevered with grace and faith. Now they just need a little help. We do ask that you please give as much as you comfortably you can! but we do know times are really tough right now for the average family trying to make ends meet, so if you can't give financially, please, please give generously with your prayers.  And Please share, share, share Jason's story with everyone you know! Thank you!!