Kidney Transplant for Ray
Donation protected
Help Raymond Get a Life-Saving Kidney Transplant
Hi, my name is Ray Botelho and I’m reaching out with a hopeful spirit to kindly ask for your help and support.
I’ve been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease following a viral infection from undetected Lyme disease. At this point, my only chance at living a healthy, full life is through a kidney transplant.
You may know or have known me as a coach, a personal trainer, a professional triathlete, a lifeguard, or as a friend. I have been a huge advocate my entire life of living a pure, healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, Lyme disease is a silent disease for a large amount of people diagnosed with this condition.
My desire is to continue to spread awareness, give hope for those that have Lyme and End Stage Kidney Disease, and to continue to live a life in pursuit of health and athletic greatness.
Why I Need Your Help
My kidneys are no longer able to function on their own due to the advancement of the viral illness. The way the virus attacks the kidneys makes it not possible to just remove one. Both kidneys are not functioning correctly and the only hope is a single kidney transplant.
I am currently on the Kidney Transplant list at Massachusetts General Hospital Kidney Center. The wait time at this time is approximately 5 years.
While I have not needed kidney dialysis quite yet, my doctors anticipate it may be 1-2 years before my kidneys will require additional support. The goal is to get me a new kidney before I end up requiring dialysis.
While my doctors are optimistic I will be able to receive a kidney sooner than 5 years, the financial burden of this journey is overwhelming, and will continue to become challenging as I navigate being a small business owner while trying prolong my health as long as possible before the inevitable.
Your support will help cover:
-Day-to-day living expenses after I undergo surgery, which will require 3-4 months of not working while I recover
-Medical expenses not covered by insurance (surgery, medications, post-op care)
-Travel and lodging for the surgery and follow-up appointments
-Loss of income during my recovery period
-Living donor expenses, if a match is found from a generous living donor
-Contributions to the National Kidney Foundation & American Lyme Disease Foundation
How You Can Help
Please consider becoming a living donor—If you’d like to learn more about becoming a living donor, feel free to reach out. Fortunately, my blood type is AB, meaning that I can receive a kidney from any blood type!
What is a Living Donor?
Living donation is a when a living person donates an organ for transplantation to another person. Living donation usually involves one kidney.
Myth: You only need one kidney, so anyone can donate
Truth: Living donors must have excellent medical and mental health to undergo donation surgery and life with only one kidney. Only about 20-25% of patients who are evaluated to donate a kidney at Mass Gen Hospital qualify.
Donate—Any amount, big or small, brings me closer to my goal.
Share—If you can’t donate, please share this page with your friends, family, and social media networks.
A Message From My Heart
This journey has been incredibly challenging for me. The reality that this condition came so quickly and forcefully into my life is still hard to grasp. But, I am surrounded by love and hope.
Every bit of support, whether it’s financial, emotional, or simply spreading the word, means the world to me.
Thank you for standing by my side.
With gratitude,
Ray Botelho
Organizer
Raymond Botelho
Organizer
Newport, RI