Rosanna Contreras

Hello everyone! My name is Rosanna, but I also go by Rose and Rosie. I’m a single mom from Wisconsin. This is the part where I share my story and open up. Here goes nothing… I’m currently going through a really tough time for the second time in my life. A few years ago, ( in 2016) I survived necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) that attacked my eyes. I barely survived that and spent three months in the hospital. I came out needing more surgery, but I survived it all.

This is now my second fight, and it’s the hardest one yet. In November of 2025, I ended up in the hospital for the second time in weeks no bend my legs because of all the swelling. In a matter of a week, I gained over 40 lbs in water weight. After being in the hospital from Nov. 13th to Nov. 26th, doing tests, labs, and a kidney biopsy, I was diagnosed. I have stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease.

This was the last thing I expected and was/am devastated. What’s next? How long can I live? What is my future—not just for me, but for my 16-year-old son? Needless to say, my life has changed after that. We are getting the ball rolling on a transplant and getting things lined up if I need to go on dialysis. I’m learning a lot and realizing just how much all this is and what I can’t afford. So, I’m asking for help.

Anyone who knows me knows I have a hard time asking for help, but I know this time I truly need to ask. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. It will be tax-deductible and will go toward medical, emergency, and out-of-pocket costs due to traveling and having to stay close to the hospital, since it’s all based at UW Madison. Anything truly would be very appreciated. Going through this and having to face this is one of the scariest things I have done and is one of the hardest decisions I need to make. I’m hoping that at some point I can find my laugh again and say that I made it through. Thank you for sticking around and reading my story.