Kidney Transplant Fundraiser

Hello all! My name is Chelsey Kirkpatrick. I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease in October 2017. I randomly checked my blood pressure at my job and found out that my vitals were a lot higher than normal. I continued to check my vitals daily. I had a blood test ordered and had some additional testing completed. The doctor that I worked with at Urgent Care determined that my levels were so off because of my kidney function. He referred me to a Kidney Specialist, where I completed a kidney biopsy. During this biopsy, they found that my kidneys were a lot smaller than normal and that I had a disease called Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The doctors aren't really sure how patients receive this disease- they are not sure if it is caused by infection, or whether it is hereditary. This was a very big shock to my family and I, because we aren't aware of any kidney problems in our family and I have always seemed very healthy. My GFR (kidney function levels) were around 20% when I found out about this disease. Over the past year, my kidney disease has progressed and is now around 11% function. Nephrologists prefer to start patients on dialysis when their function reaches around 10%. I have been referred to UT Medical Center and I have been evaluated for a kidney transplant. My nephrologist really wants me to receive a transplant before I start dialysis. Dialysis puts a lot of strain on a persons body, and it is much safer to not be on dialysis when undergoing Kidney Transplant surgery. I have a few of my closest friends that are being evaluated at UT Medical Center to become my donor. After all of their testing is completed, it should be a quick process to get this surgery on the books. I am looking to raise money to pay for the necessary expenses while in the hospital and during recovery. I hope to raise money to pay my bills since I do not have major medical leave pay at my job, and I also hope to raise money to help my donor pay for their expenses during recovery as well. Anything helps and I am so blessed and thankful for the support that I have already received during this time. I am also hosting a few fundraiser events in the next couple weeks. You may contact me at [Telefonnummer bearbeitet] if you are interested in attending. 

Thank you in advance!
Chelsey Kirkpatrick