Donation protected
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, anything you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
A mom's child will grow up, but you never stop loving them, praying for the best for them, and want them to have a happy, healthy life. That's exactly how I wanted Shawn's life to be for him. Sometimes, though, life throws your grown child a curve and all you can do is be there for them.....and keep loving them even more. Any mom that has had the honor of loving a son knows that he holds your heart your entire life, no matter what. Now, it's time for me to hold his heart and help him through what may be a hard time for Shawn, his loving and dedicated wife Jenny, and their precious son, Peyton.
Shawn was experiencing high blood pressure and went in for routine testing. That's when they found that his blood pressure was excessively high. He was referred to a nephrologist for further evaluation. At that time, the nephrologist recommended a kidney biopsy that same week. That biopsy revealed that his kidney's were functioning at less than 50%. In November of 2013, he was diagnosed, at that time, with stage 3 Berger's Disease (Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy or IgA.) He began a regimen of medication to try to slow the deterioration of his kidney's. His kidney's have deteriorated, now, to stage 5.
During the past 6 months he's begun seeing Dr. Reid, a specialist in Kansas City who's an expert in treating diseases of the kidney's. Dr. Reid's belief is that he doesn't want Shawn to get so ill that he has to begin dialysis. Because his doctor is so strong in this philosophy, at this point in Shawn's treatment, the doctor referred Shawn to KU Med to meet with the kidney transplant team. By opting for a transplant, Dr. Reid believes that Shawn will have the best quality of life possible. There is no cure for Berger's Disease. Shawn's body will continue to attack his kidney's.The chances of Shawn requiring another kidney transplant is something that he will have to go through again sometime during the next 11 - 20 years. Their concern, right now, is being prepared to immediately put their lives on hold when a donor is found. That could be anytime in the next 3 - 6 months. The costs that they've already incurred, and continue to incur with his treatment, does little to help alleviate the anxiety Shawn and Jenny already feel.
Shawn and Jenny have made mutliple trips to Kansas City for doctor's appointments and testing. Those appointments and testing will continue from now on. At this point, they're making trips to Kansas City 1 - 2 times each month. He's recently been to the emergency room because of symtoms of his disease. He's currently on 7 different daily medications. After his surgery, he could be on as many 30+ pills. His medical bills are beginning to quickly accumulate. Even for a well established family, expenses like these, time away from work, normal childhood illnesses that Peyton may experience and those potential costs, would be difficult to financially manage. Include, then, the entire financial cost of providing for the donor and their family, which will most definitely be a blessing, but also a financial responsibility that goes along with that blessing. Shawn and Jenny are just beginning to start to dream about what they want for themselves, for Peyton and for their family. A lifelong diagnosis, such as Shawn's, may make some of those dreams simply dreams, with no real hope of seeing them come to fruition.
I'm asking for not just financial help but, first, prayers for Shawn and his family. Without prayers, we have nothing. The power of prayer is a strong source of strength, comfort and healing. They're fortunate to have much of their family here in the area, but work schedules, illnesses and life in general sometimes makes it hard to lean on family alone. I know they'd appreciate someone that could help them with Peyton - picking him up from school, staying with him for a while during the evening as Shawn continues his weekly appointments in Kansas City. It's important to Shawn and Jenny that Peyton feels safe, secure and knows that, no matter what, his mom and dad will always make sure he's well taken care of and loved. If you're interested in seeing if you may be a potential donor for Shawn, please contact me. Should you wish to make a financial donation, please click on the link provided on this GoFundMe page to make a secure contribution. Every prayer gives them hope and comfort, every encouraging message touches their heart, and every financial contribution is so deeply appreciated. Each $1, $5, $10 donation, or more, will take a big portion of their stress and uncertainty away. There's power in numbers when it comes to prayers, love, encouragement, and financial support. Shawn, Jenny, and Peyton are so incredibly blessed to have so many amazing people in their lives that love and care for them. Thank you all and blessings to everyone!
A mom's child will grow up, but you never stop loving them, praying for the best for them, and want them to have a happy, healthy life. That's exactly how I wanted Shawn's life to be for him. Sometimes, though, life throws your grown child a curve and all you can do is be there for them.....and keep loving them even more. Any mom that has had the honor of loving a son knows that he holds your heart your entire life, no matter what. Now, it's time for me to hold his heart and help him through what may be a hard time for Shawn, his loving and dedicated wife Jenny, and their precious son, Peyton.
Shawn was experiencing high blood pressure and went in for routine testing. That's when they found that his blood pressure was excessively high. He was referred to a nephrologist for further evaluation. At that time, the nephrologist recommended a kidney biopsy that same week. That biopsy revealed that his kidney's were functioning at less than 50%. In November of 2013, he was diagnosed, at that time, with stage 3 Berger's Disease (Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy or IgA.) He began a regimen of medication to try to slow the deterioration of his kidney's. His kidney's have deteriorated, now, to stage 5.
During the past 6 months he's begun seeing Dr. Reid, a specialist in Kansas City who's an expert in treating diseases of the kidney's. Dr. Reid's belief is that he doesn't want Shawn to get so ill that he has to begin dialysis. Because his doctor is so strong in this philosophy, at this point in Shawn's treatment, the doctor referred Shawn to KU Med to meet with the kidney transplant team. By opting for a transplant, Dr. Reid believes that Shawn will have the best quality of life possible. There is no cure for Berger's Disease. Shawn's body will continue to attack his kidney's.The chances of Shawn requiring another kidney transplant is something that he will have to go through again sometime during the next 11 - 20 years. Their concern, right now, is being prepared to immediately put their lives on hold when a donor is found. That could be anytime in the next 3 - 6 months. The costs that they've already incurred, and continue to incur with his treatment, does little to help alleviate the anxiety Shawn and Jenny already feel.
Shawn and Jenny have made mutliple trips to Kansas City for doctor's appointments and testing. Those appointments and testing will continue from now on. At this point, they're making trips to Kansas City 1 - 2 times each month. He's recently been to the emergency room because of symtoms of his disease. He's currently on 7 different daily medications. After his surgery, he could be on as many 30+ pills. His medical bills are beginning to quickly accumulate. Even for a well established family, expenses like these, time away from work, normal childhood illnesses that Peyton may experience and those potential costs, would be difficult to financially manage. Include, then, the entire financial cost of providing for the donor and their family, which will most definitely be a blessing, but also a financial responsibility that goes along with that blessing. Shawn and Jenny are just beginning to start to dream about what they want for themselves, for Peyton and for their family. A lifelong diagnosis, such as Shawn's, may make some of those dreams simply dreams, with no real hope of seeing them come to fruition.
I'm asking for not just financial help but, first, prayers for Shawn and his family. Without prayers, we have nothing. The power of prayer is a strong source of strength, comfort and healing. They're fortunate to have much of their family here in the area, but work schedules, illnesses and life in general sometimes makes it hard to lean on family alone. I know they'd appreciate someone that could help them with Peyton - picking him up from school, staying with him for a while during the evening as Shawn continues his weekly appointments in Kansas City. It's important to Shawn and Jenny that Peyton feels safe, secure and knows that, no matter what, his mom and dad will always make sure he's well taken care of and loved. If you're interested in seeing if you may be a potential donor for Shawn, please contact me. Should you wish to make a financial donation, please click on the link provided on this GoFundMe page to make a secure contribution. Every prayer gives them hope and comfort, every encouraging message touches their heart, and every financial contribution is so deeply appreciated. Each $1, $5, $10 donation, or more, will take a big portion of their stress and uncertainty away. There's power in numbers when it comes to prayers, love, encouragement, and financial support. Shawn, Jenny, and Peyton are so incredibly blessed to have so many amazing people in their lives that love and care for them. Thank you all and blessings to everyone!
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Guillen
Organizer
Wamego, KS
Shawn Dawes
Beneficiary