Rachel the transplant nurse in need of a kidney!

Hi, My name is Kate Siller and I am asking for your help for one of the best people I know, my dear friend, Rachel Muniz. Rachel is a transplant nurse in need of her own kidney transplant.Rachel isn't the type of person to ask for help and I had to coerce her into allowing me to post this gofundme but she really needs our help. As Rachel's health declines so does her ability to work so I'm hoping to raise funds to help her get her through her transplant surgery as her disability only covers part of her salary. The funds donated will be used to cover living expenses/bills and help give Rachel a cushion with her finances pre and post transplant. The second thing we need help with is finding a kidney! This transplant nurse NEEDS a match. So if you are willing to donate a kidney or know something that is, please have them fill out this form to help Rachel. https://nkr.org/YMR353

If you have met Rachel, you know that she is a bright light, she's a transplant nurse, a hiker, a yogi, an animal lover and most importantly a spiritual superstar. In March 2021 Rachel was diagnosed with FSGS a genetic kidney disease (sclerosis of the kidney). She had her blood pressure checked and it was very high which led the doctors to do a workup on her kidneys. What they found was that she was silently suffering from this disease her entire life without any signs or symptoms until now. Doctors have told her if it wasn’t for her healthy lifestyle her kidneys may have failed her many years ago. During the time of her diagnosis COVID-19 was in full force and Rachel continued to work despite the risks- she even contracted COVID and immediately went back to work. Even when Rachel was told by doctors that her life and kidneys were in serious danger, she was dedicated to her patients and hospital. This is just one example of Rachel's bravery.

Rachels personal story is filled with triumph and inspiration. She had a challenging start to life after losing her father as a baby, her mother who struggled with bipolar was later unable to care for her and Rachel found herself bouncing from home to home when she was a teen until a family friend stepped in. Rachel struggled with her mental health for several years but she took control of her life and sought help. Despite all of Rachel's challenges as a young adult, she has created an extraordinary life where she lives in service each and every day. Rachel formerly was a trauma nurse, turned COVID nurse and now she is a transplant nurse at the Mayo Clinic, helping people in her same situation every day! Rachel leads an active and healthy lifestyle participating in triathlons, yoga, hiking and anything else outdoors! She loves her rescue cat Esmerelda. She loves being a nurse and loves her patients even more, when she accepted her job a transplant nurse she was gushing with joy that she would be able to not only provide comfort to her future patients but really relate to them. Rachel is an incredible friend who would drop everything if you needed help. She is one of the best people I've ever met and I could go on all day about how incredible she is but she'll probably be embarrassed enough with this. Please share Rachel's story!