Support Kristan’s journey for a Kidney Transplant
Donation protected
Hi Everyone- My mom and I have set up this GoFund me to help support my sister who is in need of a kidney transplant. The goal of this fundraising is to help her both financially with medical expenses and help to find a matching kidney donor. Thanks for the love and support.
A letter from Kristan:
At the end of last year, I completed bloodwork during a routine check-up. When I received the results, they found a high level of protein in my urine and told me it needed further investigation. The results sent me immediately to the hospital indicating that I had advanced stage renal disease. I spent a week in the hospital at the end of January and a few days into my stay, the renal biopsy results confirmed a chronic kidney condition known as IGA nephropathy and that I had advanced stage 5 end-stage renal disease. The only course of treatment to live a normal daily life with this condition is a kidney transplant.
Now, 6 months into discovering my life-changing illness I am working to become educated and knowledgeable of my condition. Inundated with doctor appointments, diet, and lifestyle changes- it has all been quite a shock, as you can well imagine.
Many of my friends and loved ones may not even know at this time that I have been struggling with this (I have shared the news only with a few). I have gone back and forth so many times on whether it’s something I want to share with others. Being vulnerable is not a strength of mine and it’s always been hard for me to ask for help. Over the last couple of months- I have ran through every possible scenario in my head. Deep down I know that in order to get thru this journey I will need to be surrounded by community, love, and support. I truly love living and would like to be here for many years to spend as much time with my friends, colleagues, and loved ones. The ride I have chosen seems long and difficult- but it’s the one I must take. After all, I would like to see my boys grow and begin happy lives of their own one day and a couple of peaceful golden years of retirement with my pets and loved ones.
A letter from Kristan:
At the end of last year, I completed bloodwork during a routine check-up. When I received the results, they found a high level of protein in my urine and told me it needed further investigation. The results sent me immediately to the hospital indicating that I had advanced stage renal disease. I spent a week in the hospital at the end of January and a few days into my stay, the renal biopsy results confirmed a chronic kidney condition known as IGA nephropathy and that I had advanced stage 5 end-stage renal disease. The only course of treatment to live a normal daily life with this condition is a kidney transplant.
Now, 6 months into discovering my life-changing illness I am working to become educated and knowledgeable of my condition. Inundated with doctor appointments, diet, and lifestyle changes- it has all been quite a shock, as you can well imagine.
Many of my friends and loved ones may not even know at this time that I have been struggling with this (I have shared the news only with a few). I have gone back and forth so many times on whether it’s something I want to share with others. Being vulnerable is not a strength of mine and it’s always been hard for me to ask for help. Over the last couple of months- I have ran through every possible scenario in my head. Deep down I know that in order to get thru this journey I will need to be surrounded by community, love, and support. I truly love living and would like to be here for many years to spend as much time with my friends, colleagues, and loved ones. The ride I have chosen seems long and difficult- but it’s the one I must take. After all, I would like to see my boys grow and begin happy lives of their own one day and a couple of peaceful golden years of retirement with my pets and loved ones.
Co-organizers (3)
Mandi Reed
Organizer
St. Petersburg, FL
Kristan Rodriguez
Beneficiary
Debbie Hensley
Co-organizer