Chris Pape has always been the heart of his family, he's a brilliant mind who loves tinkering with trains, Legos, and model cars. As a devoted husband to Debbie, a loving dad to Tiffany and Danny, and a proud poppa to his grandson Mason, Chris’s presence is a source of strength and joy.

In 2020, everything changed when Chris was diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease that led to kidney failure and years of grueling dialysis. Much of that year was spent in the hospital, fighting for his life. The Wegener’s diagnosis was only the beginning. It led to end-stage renal disease and a dangerous battle with mucormycosis, a rare and deadly fungal infection. His case was so severe and unusual that doctors at UofL, who are credited with saving his life, are now using it as a specialized case study. Chris is one of only four people locally known to have faced both Wegener’s and mucormycosis.

Despite these unimaginable challenges, Chris never gave up. After five long years, he was finally approved for the kidney transplant list. Just as hope returned, the disease did too, aggressively, bringing fresh rounds of uncertainty and new expenses. The ongoing fight has left the family with mounting medical debt, and the specialty medications, frequent appointments, and testing are not only overwhelming, they’re expensive and hard to access.

Both Chris and his wife are on disability, and the burden has now fallen heavily on their children, Tiffany and Danny, who are doing everything they can, driving to appointments, helping financially, and offering day-to-day support. More than anything, they want to see their dad regain some independence and relief from this relentless fight.

All donations will go directly toward Chris’s medical care, including:

To ensure responsible and transparent handling of your generosity, our family has created a dedicated account for this fundraiser. Funds will be managed by close family members and used exclusively for medical costs. We will keep clear records of all disbursements, and none of the money will be used for personal or non-medical purposes.

We believe deeply in accountability. As donations come in, we’ll share periodic updates on Chris’s progress, and let you know how your support is being used to directly improve his care and quality of life.

Your contribution, whether big or small, brings real, tangible relief to our family during the hardest chapter of our lives. Thank you for standing with Chris. Every donation is a step closer to stability, healing, and hope.