Stand with Roy (Abba): Stage 5 Kidney Failure, Dialysis & Safe Return Home

***SEE JOURNEY UPDATE BELOW

In Jamaica, when trials hit continuously, we often say, “When it rains, it pours.”

Or as we say in patois: “When trouble tek yuh, pickney shut fit yuh.”

That has never felt more real to our family than it does right now.

As Jamaica is just coming out of Hurricane Melissa, our family has been weathering storms of our own. My name is Nicole Gentles, and I am the sister of Roy Gentles.

After walking through the loss of my husband to hypertension, and then, not long after, my daughter from cardiac complications following an epilepsy episode, I never imagined that one of my best friends—my brother Roy—would also be facing a life-threatening condition. Yet while he is here visiting me during the Thanksgiving season of 2025, we were told that without urgent intervention, he may have only weeks, possibly even days, to live.

He was excited to come to the United States to:

During this visit, Roy was taken to the emergency room for excessive tiredness, dizziness, and back pain. After many tests, the doctors gave us a heavy report:

Roy's kidneys were functioning at only about 5% and this was due to stage 5 kidney failure.

Even though he is still urinating and able to move around, his body is under tremendous strain. He also lives with diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), low iron, and anemia. He has already needed a blood transfusion and is currently being treated at Deaconess Hospital in Illinois (USA).

We are very grateful for the care he has received at Deaconess Hospital; everyone has shown so much grace, love, compassion, and sensitivity to the situation. At the same time, because Roy is in the United States as a visitor from Jamaica, he does not qualify for federal medical assistance here. This has created a serious financial and logistical challenge for his ongoing care.

The Urgent Reality

Roy cannot remain in the hospital long-term.

Medically and practically, he is expected to be discharged in less than a week.

Right now, there is no funded exit plan in the U.S. for ongoing dialysis or long-term care. Because of financial and immigration limitations, the current plan looks like this:

We are deeply grateful that a nephrologist in Jamaica has agreed to take Roy’s case, but there are many expenses attached to this, starting right away:

Without financial support, it will be very difficult to secure the treatment he needs as soon as he leaves the U.S.

What Roy Needs Right Now

To stabilize and sustain Roy’s life, he urgently needs:

We are praying for a miracle – that God will fully restore his kidney function – but we must also act wisely and practically with the medical options in front of us.

Why We Need Financial Help

Because of Roy’s immigration and insurance status in the U.S., and the cost of care both here and in Jamaica, many things must be paid out of pocket.

Your support will help bridge the gap between:

The financial needs include:

Roy’s wife, Nadine, and their three children remain in Jamaica, deeply worried and depending on God and the kindness of others—especially as the country recovers from Hurricane Melissa and resources are already stretched thin. This sudden medical crisis has shaken their world emotionally and financially.

Who Is Roy?

Roy is a loving husband, father, brother, and friend. He is known for his gentle spirit, his humor, and his willingness to help others even when he has little himself.

He loves the Lord and desires to be used by God to encourage others who are hurting or sick. We believe his story is not ending here – it is being rewritten.

How Your Gift Will Be Used

Your donations will go directly toward:

We are committed to handling these funds with integrity, transparency, and gratitude.

How You Can Help

We believe that Roy shall live and not die, and declare the works of the Lord.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you for helping us fight for Roy’s life and make sure he has the care he needs when he leaves the hospital.

With love and gratitude,

Nicole Gentles

(on behalf of Roy, Nadine, and their children)

ROY (ABBA) JOURNEY UPDATE

Thank you all for your contributions, prayers, and love. We remain prayerful and hopeful that every provision will be met—to stabilize Roy and to transfer him home safely. From there, the road to recovery continues as we keep walking and living in the realm of faith.

His dialysis catheter was placed successfully (hallelujah!), and by the grace of God, he has completed three successful dialysis sessions. Yes, Lord! His hypertension is improving, but prayers are still needed—especially concerning his iron levels and overall strength. There is much more happening behind the scenes medically, but we are trusting God to heal all things and bring everything together for his good. For the protection and peace of our family and our children, I will continue to share updates with wisdom and in a limited way.

Please continue to pray for the strength of his wife and children as they learn to navigate this new path. Roy (“Abba”) is a very active father and husband, and his absence at home is deeply felt. If you are connected to them in any way, I ask that you surround them with love—offer support, extend grace, give space when needed, avoid adding extra burdens, and above all, check on them and pray with them.

With gratitude,

Sis (Nicole)