My daughter, Bryanna, needs a kidney. She is 19 years old and is one of the hardest working, loving and hilarious young Christian woman I have known. Unfortunately, while she was a junior in high school, it was discovered that her kidneys were failing.

She was diagnosed with FSGS, which causes scarring in the tiny filters in her kidneys, rendering them useless. Several medications were used in an attempt to slow the progress of the disease but her body did not respond.  This past November she had a dialysis catheter placed and started dialysis. She does her dialysis at home and has so much responsibility between her daily 14 hour dialysis routine, many medications, strict diet and weekly clinic appointments. As her health declined, she has maintained a part time job and has taken classes at community college as she wants to become a registered nurse. She has nowhere near the stamina a 19 year old should have but she pushes herself so hard.

Wait time for a type O kidney in Michigan is 5-5 1/2 years. As a parent it is gut wrenching to watch her suffer the fatigue, constant nausea, and occasional depression. A suitable live donor has not been found. Fort Worth, Texas currently has the shortest wait time in the nation at less than a year is estimated. As a result, we are uprooting our family and moving to Texas in order to have her listed there. 

We will be starting over with new insurance deductibles and, due to moving expenses, paying her medical costs will be very difficult. Please consider donating in order to offset the medical costs for her current treatment and help us prepare for a transplant. All donations will be kept in a separate account for her medical bills. Ability to afford medical expenses (such as post transplant anti-rejection medications) is necessary in order to be listed for transplant. 

We appreciate all support, whether it is monetary, a prayer or a word of encouragement. Please be sure to consider becoming a registered organ donor and be sure your family is aware of your wishes. There are so many people like Bryanna who are waiting.

Thank you so much for reading this and for caring.