ABOUT
Fifteen-year-old Julissa lives in a remote village in Belize, Central America. I met this lovely young lady two years ago while on a mission trip. At that time she was a happy and thriving young girl, but sadly all that was about to change due to rapidly progressing kidney disease.
Julissa now has end-stage kidney disease with frank renal failure. Costs associated with her twice weekly hemodialysis at the closest hospital have already left this vulnerable family in financial strain. In order to save her life, a kidney transplant is Julissa’s only hope.
 
WHAT’S BEEN DONE SO FAR
When I received a desperate message from Julissa’s mother last week, pleading for help, my heart was moved for this dear family who is at the very end of their resources. I quickly made contact with a friend in Belize, Dennis Borland, who arranged for a nurse to visit the family right away. At first the information did not seem hopeful: a transplant, if a match were found, could only be done in Guatemala or Mexico and would be very costly.
And then the first of what we hope are many miracles happened. Dennis recalled an old friend of 20 years ago who was a nephrologist. He made contact and learned the incredible news that this friend, Dr. Byron Simmons, happens to be Belize’s first kidney transplant surgeon!
Dr. Simmons has now met with Julissa and her family and has begun the transplant protocol. If a suitable match is available, Dr. Simmons and his team can perform the surgery in Belize, and has promised to do what he can to keep the costs down.
 
OUR HOPE
Julissa’s mother is ready and willing to give a kidney to her daughter. The cost to test her for compatibility is about $1900 CAD. The cost to have the surgery itself, if she were a match, is not known at this time but will be significant.
 
CAN YOU HELP?
At this time I am reaching out to those who feel compelled to help, to donate toward the initial compatibility test. In faith, we are setting our fundraising goal to include the expected cost of the transplant so that we can be ready for this life-saving procedure to happen, if and when it is approved.
Thank you all in advance for your prayers and financial support, and for circulating this campaign to your friends as well. I will keep you posted here as more information becomes available.