Janine Bussler

I NEED YOUR HELP!

My name is Janine and I have ESRD and CKD otherwise known as End Stage Renal disease and Chronic Kidney disease. I was born with CKD, at the age of 10 I had to get a 5th grade physical when my pediatrician noticed I was very small for my age. Lab work was done and it revealed that my kidneys were functioning at 12%. Being very scared and not knowing what comes next, at the age of 14 I was put on peritoneal dialysis. This consists of getting a catheter tube permanently attached in your abdomen which then connects you to a machine where medicine will fill up the peritoneal cavity in my stomach and dwell to later remove toxins my kidney can no longer do.

This process was 12 hrs a night and 2 hrs a day. After 6 years of dialysis everyday I was finally given a kidney transplant from a deceased donor a month before I turned 20 years old. It was a blessing and almost felt too good to be true.

5 years later that kidney had decided to part ways with me. The hospital had tried to reverse the rejection, but it did not take. I was then put on the transplant list in Feb 2018. Being very lucky and taking care of myself extremely well I still sat in limbo between no dialysis and dialysis again. It was always a haunting feeling that it could happen any day and I wouldn’t be ready.

As of Jan 2022, I was switched to Medicare as my only insurance leaving me with the bills and premiums that someone on disability cannot afford. At the same time I was also informed dialysis was going to happen before April 1st due to not being able to pay 20% of dialysis daily, which to put in perspective dialysis is around 2,000 dollars a day. I am currently 29 years old, I don’t have my own family yet, I don’t have a career, a home, or have done many things I’ve dreamt of doing because of being preoccupied with this illness.

I am hoping and praying everyday that I will get a transplant and start to live a normal life. When I found out about dialysis, I had been informed even if I were to get a transplant I wouldn’t be able to afford the medications that are required to keep my kidney. This illness is already devastating and has made me lose opportunities and things I would have done otherwise, and I really would love to start my new life without having the burden of knowing whether or not I can keep my kidney healthy at the end of the day with the medications needed to survive. I want to get married and have children and make a difference in the world.

For my healthy 5 years I dedicated most of my time to volunteering for various events, along with dedicating 4 years to helping children with pediatric cancer and fostering/volunteering for an animal rescue. I am a normal person with aspirations and goals I’d like to achieve. I am a good daughter, sister and friend. I like to go to concerts, like to travel, go to Disney World, sing badly in my car, drink iced coffee, spend time with my kitties. I want to contribute more in this world and would love the opportunity to get the chance. With your help, I will be able to pay for medical expenses that hang over my head while I’m on the hunt for my living donor.

My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live in honor of Janine Bussler to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

I chose to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the GIVE button. And please share my page on your social media.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!