Hi my name is Catherine and my husband Mark was diagnosed with Kidney disease in his 20's and doctors told him they could manage this with medication and diet for now but in time he will be on Diaylsis and transplant. 
About 3 1/2 years ago at the age of 55 his health had slowly deteriorate and he struggled to walk from the car to the house, daily activities he tired so quickly, he was short of breath and always tired no energy at all. We met with the doctors and the outcome was we now needed to talk about starting Dialysis. Mark was scheduled for his first surgery in May to establish a fitsula in his arm for Dialysis and than we met with the team of nurses to discuss Home Dialysis and training. Mark was not able to return to work after this surgery and life really had to change. 
After just a year the Fitsula was not working properly but his health was slowly going down hill, so Mark went in for another surgery to have a CVC line put in so it was direct access to start Dialysis right away. 
This is when the journey began and for the next twelve weeks we traveled two hours one way three times a week to begin training and Dialysis. Half way thru the program the machine needed to be brought to the home installed and training on cleaning the machine and ordering supplies began. 
I had to give up my full time job and go to a part time position so we could do Dialysis , machine cleaning and ordering of supplies, doctors appointments and so on. It was all a whirlwind so quick. I heard so many stories of health issues that could go along with being a kidney patient and the longer the time on Dialysis. I began to take on the role of a nurse, a caregiver to my husband, busy with appointments, taking care of the home and all that went with this that I forgot about me. 
Soon after a year of settling into this routine and going to appointments I decided I was going to donate a kidney to my husband. So I began the work up to see if we match and we did and went thru all the testing. We were a great match and I was in good health but I had gain weight so I had to find a way to lose the weight in order for this surgery to happen. I began looking for ways to lose weight to get back in shape and get back to a healthy weight. 
Mean while the doctors knowing I was now donating a kidney they began the workup on my husband to make sure he could go thru the surgery without issues and get him ready for transplant. In 1 year alone he has had 7 procedures, 2 major a quad heart bypass and a kidney removal. Our lifestyle really took a tole on us. I was no longer working much and than I was not working and Mark was not able to work and was recovering from all the surgeries. 
The bills were piling up. The cost of hydro and water alone had almost tripled. We now have no tv, no internet, no home phone. We went from both working full time jobs, two vehicles to no one working and one vehicle that is falling apart. We struggle with all the cost. 
Now my  journey began to try and find a way to lose the weight and give my husband a kidney and get our life back to normal. I tried all different approaches to weight loss with no luck. 
One day it was like a miracle we met this wonderful person by the name of Kelly who shared her story and her compassion for the Vi Team not only could this help me, but in return I could help children. She talked with so much compassion i believed in this journey and joined this wonderful challenge and belong to a great team The Vi Team. 
So what I am asking is I have until September 25th, 2014 to lose atleast 40 pounds so I can donate a kidney to my husband. If in any way you could find in your hearts to donate to help with all the bills that have piled up, to help with medical cost, transportation cost to travel to the hospital it would help ever so much. Even if it is a toonie or five dollars every bit helps. 
May God Bless and may you live a happy life. 
Catherine and Mark Balogh