Support My Daughter's LifeSaving Kidney & bladder Surgeries.
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Jessica Get Life-Saving Surgeries and Support Her Family Through Recovery
My name is Robyn, and I am writing on behalf of my amazing daughter, Jessica. At just 31 years old, Jessica is a devoted wife, a loving mother to two sons (one adopted 11-year-old and one 10-year-old), and a passionate domestic violence counselor who has spent her life supporting others. For over 15 years, Jessica has battled end-stage renal failure with incredible strength and determination.
Despite countless hospitalizations, Jessica works full-time, attends university part-time to pursue her dream of becoming a defense attorney, and runs weekly domestic violence support groups. All of this is done while managing the relentless challenges of her illness.
Now, Jessica has a chance for a better future. She is scheduled to undergo a bladder augmentation just before Christmas, which will pave the way for a life-saving kidney transplant in February. Without these critical procedures, Jessica’s life is at risk, as the treatments keeping her alive have become increasingly difficult on her body. This journey will require her to miss work for several months, and the financial burden of medical care, travel, lodging, and lost income is more than our family can handle alone.
Jessica's Medical Journey:
Jessica was originally receiving care through Hershey Medical Center in preparation for her transplant. Tragically, their kidney transplant center closed unexpectedly, leaving Jessica and many other patients in a devastating situation. This loss not only wasted critical time but forced her to transfer her care to Philadelphia, increasing the logistical and financial challenges for our family.
(For more details on the closure and its impact, please see this article: Spotlight PA on Hershey Medical Center Closure)
https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2024/10/penn-state-health-liver-kidney-transplants-milton-hershey-medical-center-patients-hospitals-pennsylvania/
Jessica’s bladder augmentation is scheduled right before Christmas, requiring a months-long recovery period during which she will be unable to work. This procedure is vital to prepare her body for the kidney transplant, without which she cannot survive. Jessica’s family—including her husband, Titus, and their sons—will need to travel to Philadelphia and stay there for weeks to support her during her surgeries and recovery.
The Financial Need:
Here’s a breakdown of the expenses we are facing:
• Travel Costs: Multiple trips between Erie and Philadelphia (approximately 430 miles per trip, costing $260 each).
• Lodging: Hotel accommodations for Jessica’s family near the hospital, estimated at $160 per night for one month.
• Medical Costs: Surgery, post-operative care, medications, and other unforeseen expenses not covered by insurance.
• Loss of Income: Jessica will be unable to work for several months, significantly impacting her family’s finances.
The total estimated cost is $17,000, including medical expenses, travel, lodging, and lost income. We are humbly asking for your help to ease this financial burden.
(We were able to raise some of the funding so far)
Other Ways to Help:
We understand that not everyone can donate, but sharing this campaign can be just as impactful. Jessica’s family has also created an Amazon wish list with cleaning supplies and items to keep her boys entertained during their time in Philadelphia. Any form of support—whether financial, sharing this post, or fulfilling a need from the wish list—is deeply appreciated.
Jessica has dedicated her life to helping others, even while battling her own health challenges. On her worst days, she still shows up for her clients, runs support groups, and prioritizes her family. Now, she needs our help.
In addition to the transplant and bladder augmentation, Jessica faces ongoing health complications. Her bladder has shrunk significantly and must be rebuilt using her intestine. Her fistula, which was never meant to last this long, has endured eight surgeries with stents and bands to keep it functioning. She will also need surgery to remove her severely enlarged parathyroid after the kidney transplant. These mounting health challenges mean that without intervention, Jessica’s time with us is heartbreakingly limited.
Jessica is fighting not just for her life but for her family, her clients who rely on her counseling, and her dream of becoming a defense attorney. We have been blessed with 15 extra years with her thanks to dialysis, but without these upcoming operations, we may lose her far too soon.
Your kindness, generosity, and support—whether through donations, sharing this campaign, or fulfilling items from the Amazon wish list—will allow Jessica to focus on her recovery and give her family the precious time they need with her.
Thank you for being a part of Jessica’s journey. Together, we can make a life-changing difference for her and her family.
UPDATE!!! Jessica and her family have only a few weeks left until they will get the ‘go ahead’ to return home! We appreciate all of the well wishes, prayers, shares and donations it means the world to our family! The kidney is doing wonderful although Jessica still has good and bad days because of the big adjustment in medications. Since they are returning home soon their family will need to be very careful about germs and handling their pets due to Jessica being on high doses of amino suppressants. I am adding a link to this page connecting to an Amazon registry of items they will need for their home once they return home. Once again anything helps donations, prayers or shares have all helped so much. Once sent home they will still be going to Philadelphia once a week for appointments with the transplant team.
Organizer
Robyn Young
Organizer
Erie, PA