Hello everyone, I’m Jalen Baraoidan and I am the band & choir director at Lahainaluna High School.

On November 3 2023, I was diagnosed with End-Stage Kidney Disease where they found that both of my kidneys stopped working. After a biopsy to see what’s going on, a disease called Iga Nephropathy that I had for the past 10 years slowly destroyed my kidneys.

For the past year, I have been on dialysis and have been working tirelessly to get on the transplant list. As of October 23 2024, I got the call from Queen’s Medical Center saying I am now on the active listing for kidney transplant.

After talking to the team at Queen’s, they informed me of what will happen when the call for transplant happens. I need to stay on Oahu for 4-6 weeks after surgery for observation, meaning I need to find a place to stay in the meantime. Doctors informed to have funds ready at anytime.

Surgery is around $55,000, and they said to have $8,000-$10,000 for housing.

This will cover my costs for transplant, and costs for housing as I recover on Oahu.

Any support given will be greatly appreciated, no matter how big or small it may be.