Uncle Bret Needs a Kidney!

 That’s me
 with my Uncle Bret.                 He was feeling good when this picture was taken. But he doesn’t feel very good these days. I love it when I see him and because he is not well, I don't get to see him very much. When I learned his transplanted kidney had run its course,  I overheard my mom talking with him and heard it would cost  thousands of dollars for the medical expenses when someone gets a new kidney. My uncle was very  worried  about how he would be able to obtain the money needed to afford a kidney. This reminded me of the time I learned about the website “Go Fund Me” and all the money it raised for people who needed help just like my uncle. So, I asked if I could start a “Go Fund Me “ page for him.   
I want to help him and along with the help of others, I believe that he would be able to get another kidney! My goal is to share with you how special my uncle Bret is, and raise some money for his medical bills; so he can get a new kidney!
 He tells me the last 15 years have been a gift from heaven with a New Love, New Family ,lots of Outdoor Adventures,New Hobbies fixing things and gardening,
Important milestones ,And lots of Sunsets   

These experiences were never dreamt of 17 years ago when Uncle Bret got sick unexpectedly with  IGA Nephropathy.  You see, Uncle Bret has already gone through the problems of failing kidneys before. It was a big surprise to have his body attack itself.             I have learned, IGA Nephropathy is an autoimmune disease where your body turns on itself and decides your Kidneys are the enemy. After a while, the disease kills the kidneys and you have to get a new one to survive.
He was sick and on dialysis treatments for a couple of years as his mom worked very hard to get him into lots of doctors . Luckily in 2002 there was a match for a new kidney at the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville Florida and with the generosity of a local pilot he was able to be at the hospital in a couple of hours .
Did you know that when they transplant a new kidney they don’t always take out the bad ones and they put the new one in in the front in the belly, like the drawing below shows.So, Uncle Bret now has 3 non functioning kidneys.  

                    The treatment that my uncle desperately needs is a kidney transplant, and he needs it ASAP (or as soon as possible, uncle Bret!). Any funds that will be raised will help with his medical bills, as he waits and hopefully gets another kidney to help save his life.

He says, there is no point dwelling on the negative thoughts,  there is only time for positive energy and working through challenges one day at a time. He wants to cherish his family and friends with each moment he has and will not spend his valuable time on stressful things or people.  He says stress is not healthy and will make him sicker.  He wants this to be the main thing I learn from him.  And he wants to share this message with everyone.  He says to be kind to each other and respect the decisions people make.   Also, help people in need, because if that pilot had not helped my Uncle Bret , he would have missed 15 years of his life. Then he never would've met me :)
  The journey has already begun,The dialysis has started,
and his family and friends are surrounding him with love: near and far... Just like I am.
My hopes are to raise enough money  for him to  cover as many medical bills as possible.  Anything that is raised is something he and I will appreciate forever and ever.  I tell him to “believe” and he says “ I will try”

I look forward to sharing his story with you. K is for Karis.