At the age of 14, Vanessa was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease due to a genetic condition (PAX2 Gene mutation) as well as experiencing recurrent UTI’s and urinary reflux which caused undersized and severely damaged kidneys. Vanessa is now in kidney failure and needs a transplant to survive. We’re asking family and friends to join us in fundraising for the nonprofit “Help Hope Live” to help with critical expenses that Vanessa will face during the pre-transplant process and immediately after surgery.
Vanessa has grown up in the PNW and enjoys trying to maintain a normal lifestyle by kayaking, camping, hiking, and spending time exploring with her husky Sasha Louise. When she is not out in nature she enjoys baking, gardening, collecting indoor plants, and spending time with her close friends and family. Vanessa has always been and lived a positive and independent life despite her chronic condition; she has never let any of her health challenges get in the way of achieving her dreams – hoping to become a wound care nurse as well as being married and having children of her own. Despite her condition, Vanessa has always portrayed a positive attitude and a life style that has helped her avoid the inevitable for a long time, but now her kidneys are no longer functioning enough to maintain her ability to excrete waste from her body, and as of April 2021 has had to begin daily dialysis treatments while on the UNOS transplant waiting list to find a living or deceased donor kidney. Vanessa has faced many difficult obstacles throughout her life, thus never asking for assistance. Now, she realizes that this procedure will not be possible without your help.
While Vanessa currently has health insurance, many transplant expenses are surprisingly not covered or have a large out of pocket expense such as the monthly anti-rejection medications she needs to take for the life of her new kidney. Vanessa has been told to anticipate upwards of $2,000 per month just for medications alone. In addition, since being on dialysis, she at times is too weak or ill to work, and requires time away needed for monthly appointments which result in a loss of benefits or pay.
Donations to “Help Hope Live” can help ease the financial burden of a transplant and allow Vanessa to focus on a healthy recovery and the possibility of having her own children and becoming a nurse.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
