Help the Ridings Family

Jason Ridings has Primary Cilia Dyskinesia (PCD), a rare recessive genetic condition in which the microscopic organelles (cilia) in the respiratory system have a defective function. In Jason’s case, the cilia are completely immobile, which prevents mucous clearance from his lungs, paranasal sinuses, and middle ears. The thick mucus clogs the air passages, promotes bacterial growth, and leads to chronic obstruction, inflammation, and infection of the airways. The infected bronchial tubes stretch out to the point of irreversible damage and become bronchiectasis (scar tissue). He has approximately 20% lung function left and is colonized with pseudomonas, an aggressive bacterium that constantly mutates and is hard to eliminate once it has taken hold. His disease is terminal, and aggressive treatment can only slow down the progression of the disease.

Throughout his life, Jason has been in and out of hospitals, and over the last ten years, he has been on continuous oxygen and has done expensive IV treatments of strong antibiotics every 6-8 weeks at home. He goes into the hospital when lung infections have gotten out of control. Most recently, Jason has started retaining too much carbon dioxide because his lungs cannot expel it at a safe rate, so his doctors put him on a non-invasive ventilator for home use. But even with that support, he was rushed back to the hospital for a second time within a month. His wife of 18 years, Kate, is his caregiver, and they have a 14-year-old son Jakob.

Living with this disease has taken its toll on the family physically, mentally, and financially. Kate has used up all her vacation time to care for Jason, and because there is no paid family leave in Texas, she’s trying to work full time and provide full-time care for Jason.

We want to support the Ridings family through this difficult season. This money helps cover groceries, living, and medical expenses.