Donate to help support the Backmeyer Family

Hi, we are again reaching out to our community to help our dear friends, the Backmeyers!! Most who have been following along are well aware of the challenges they are facing. For those who are new, previous go fund me threads are included to try and catch up!

Ferris is now 5 years old, turning 6 at the end of January. She has been in kidney failure since she was 14 months old and has been on dialysis since that time....4.5 years!! Last year the family got the call for the kidney they had been waiting for. Unfortunately, there were surgical complications, and the kidney was removed just hours later. This was a devastating reality for their family. Thankfully she recovered and they were able to return home. By the end of summer, she was ready to be listed again, hoping to get a second chance at a kidney transplant. At this time, it was discovered that Ferris became highly sensitized. That news meant that finding a match would be incredibly challenging. Statistically, it could take years.

Since that time Ferris has continued to have a lot of health challenges. Several hospital admissions, a dozen trips back and forth, and months spent down at BCCH just in the past year. shes had 5 lumbar punctures, multiple IV's, MRI, CT scan, numerous x-rays, countless blood draws and antibiotics...just in the past 6 months. She isnt growing and requires 14 hours of dialysis every night, along with handfuls of medications daily to maintain her sweet little life in Kamloops. The need for a kidney has become glaringly apparent. The focus has shifted to ensuring Ferris's quality and comfort comes above anything else.

THE BIG NEWS!!! And why we want to reach out to help!

Earlier this year a match was made with an anonymous living donor. Unfortunately, the surgeons at BCCH weren't happy with the donor's anatomy and felt that the surgery was too risky and ultimately said no. At that time, the family was encouraged to reach out to Toronto sick kids hospital for a second opinion. It took a lot of time, but in September Pat, Lindsey and Ferris traveled to Toronto for Ferris to have a Kidney transplant assessment by the teams at sick kids hospital. Most recently, they heard back that the team in Toronto is happy to proceed with the transplant, and the family is now anxiously awaiting a transplant date!!!

What does this mean for their family? Lindsey has been working full-time as a Respiratory Therapist. Pat went back to school and is currently enrolled in his 4th year of the nursing program at TRU. They have spent months of every year down at BCCH. They work so hard to make things work for their family, but the frequent admissions have led to more frequent loss of income. This community has come together to help them in the past, and I think they need us now more than ever!!!

The surgery is expected to be early in the new year. They will relocate to Toronto a couple weeks before the surgery and are told to expect to be there for three months. Lindsey will need to go on EI again for the 2nd time in the past two years. It surely won't be enough to cover their living expenses. We want nothing more than to be able to relieve any financial stress they may be experiencing!!

There was some hesitation from the family in the timing of raising funds. What if it all falls apart? What if something comes up and it doesn't happen? Their reality, if that ends up being the case, is devastating, and they still need our help! They are awaiting a date, and no more testing will be done until they are in Toronto prepping for the surgery.

Let's remove the financial barrier to allow them to be ALL together without worrying about how to pay their bills. Family first. Let's all come together to help make this miracle happen. Any donation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank-you for your generosity,

G and A Howell