Chelsea Andrade, Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease

My niece Chelsea is a wonderful, beautiful, smart hard-working women who started her own business before the pandemic. She followed in her mother’s steps, the late Giselle (LaFrance) Andrade as a woman in the seafood industry, in the historic town of Bristol, RI. The seaside town is known for having the oldest 4th of July parade in the country. My sister “Gigi” and her husband, David Andrade, started their business, Andrade’s Catch, in 1987 and it is still in business today. Gigi was the face of the business by interacting with customers, and was very active in the community. She was an extremely hard worker. Chelsea got the same trait from her mom. Sadly, Gigi died after a long bout with pancreatic cancer in 2006, when Chelsea was only 17. Chelsea also worked at Andrade’s Catch and was well known by the customers and community. However, she decided to pursue her own business venture, High Grade Seafood, with her partner in 2018. They focused on the highest end of the seafood business and offered top grade fish at the local farmers market. They delivered special orders including prepared dishes ready to cook to people’s homes.

During the pandemic, they experienced hard times and Chelsea, like so many other folks, delayed doctor’s appointments. In November 2022, she had experienced an insect bite and had symptoms consistent with Lyme disease. She went to the doctors to get tested and, after a series of tests, was diagnosed with renal failure, chronic kidney disease. She changed her diet, but continued to have increasing symptoms of weakness. In January 2023, the doctor told her that her situation continued to degrade and that she was now at Stage 4 Severe Chronic Kidney Disease. Just one stage before when dialysis will be needed, and the need for a kidney transplant. Her doctor now expects her to reach stage 5 within only a couple months.

We are all praying for her and continue to hope that she will not need a transplant, but it appears to be inevitable. We want your prayers too!! However, with her not being able to work now, and with dialysis taking many hours per day and many days per week, her ability to work will be limited. Even after she can get a transplant, the recovery time is very long. Please join me in donating to help Chelsea not have to worry about any financial problems. I am starting this GoFundMe page in honor of my late sister Gigi who was my best friend until I met my wife. I also promised Gigi on her death bed that I would do everything I can to help her children. Chelsea is also my God Child. Chelsea needs so much help right now, we need to find her a kidney donor, and work through the process. I just do not want her to ever worry about money during this extremely difficult time for her. We want Chelsea to live to be an old, frail women walking along the beautiful Colt State Park in Bristol where her mom is buried. God bless you all and please pray for Chelsea!!