Hi everyone! First of all, thank you for taking the time out of your day to click on our fundraiser.

As many of you know, my incredible bonus mom, Stacey, has been placed on the Baylor Transplant list to receive a kidney and pancreas!

This transplant is a crucial step in improving her health and quality of life, and we’re so hopeful for the future. However, there are significant costs involved in her journey — from medical expenses to travel and post-surgery care.

To give you guys a little bit of back story: Stacey was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the age of 22. She was told, like most patients with this diagnosis, that after her pregnancy, that the diabetes would “go away." Unfortunately, this was not the case, as it progressed into Type 2 Diabetes, which was manageable for a short time with oral medications. When she became pregnant with my youngest brother, her endocrinologist placed her on insulin, and by the time he turned two, she was prescribed an insulin pump because her pancreas wasn't functioning properly. Her endocrinologist has tested her several times to see if she was actually a Type 1 Diabetic, but the autoantibody tests always came back negative. (meaning her pancreas is just lazy and doesn't want to do it's job)

[I feel as if] A lot of people don't realize how much Diabetes can actually affect your entire body. Over time, as a Type 2 Diabetic with insulin resistance, Stacey's body started to fall apart (figuratively speaking, of course). She has diabetic retinopathy and macular edema and has to see an ophthalmologist once a month for injections in her eyes to maintain her vision. 

She also suffered from severe diabetic neuropathy which causes immense pain in her legs and feet. 

She has Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease with VERY poor circulation. — Unlike most patients, she is not waiting for a transplant AND already on dialysis. Her physicians are trying to transplant the organs prior to starting dialysis in hopes to save her body from the stress that dialysis would cause.

When we go to Baylor for her transplant, she will have to stay in Dallas for approximately 8-10 weeks. Seven to eight of those weeks, she will stay in reduced-cost housing for transplant patients, which is approximately $100/day.

She does have private insurance, but it only covers a percentage of the medical costs, so this does not include travel or lodging.

My dad is the sole income for their household. The best way that I could think to help my parents for all they have done for me (and my siblings) is to create this fundraiser to help offset some of these costs and HOPEFULLY reduce some of their stress and worries. 

Your generous donation will help Stacey get the care she needs and the fresh start she deserves. Any amount, big or small, is deeply appreciated and will make a meaningful difference.

If you made it this far into my novel, I just want to say thank you. 

Thank you so much for reading this, for your love, support, and kindness during this challenging time.

With love and A LOT of gratitude,
Michaela Felicetty