Kim's Kidney Transplant Fund

Hello, my name is Sharon Badertscher.  I am from Ada, Ohio.  I am starting a fundraising page for my daughter, Kimberly Badertscher.  Kimberly has been scheduled for a kidney transplant at the end of July.  This is a very costly surgery, as she will be responsible for 20% of the total bill incurred during this time. It will be a minimum of $20,000.00 out of pocket just for the transplant surgery itself. There will be additional costs, such as hospital stay, any labs or testing, pharmacy medications and supplemental oxygen just to name a few. I ask that you read her story.
 I realize that we are living in very tough times right now.  I am asking that if you are able to please help lessen the burden on my daughter, Kimberly.
 As many of you may know, Kimberly, now 42, was born with Cystic Fibrosis(CF).  Cystic Fibrosis is a debilitating, genetic disease affecting the respiratory system, especially the lungs, digestive system, the sinuses and reproductive system, among other things.  There is no cure for this disease.  Kim was diagnosed at age 4 and despite the many obstacles that she has faced, she has always loved life and lived gracefully.  My daughter has always had a very positive attitude and outlook on life.  She has strived to live life to the fullest without letting her CF get in the way of things.   Kim is a beautiful person inside and out with a heart of gold.  She loves her family and friends with all of her heart.  She is intelligent and strong willed.  She has a catching smile and is a very caring person.
 Kim loves being active and involved in various activities. She was very active in high school, college and in her profession with many different groups and organizations. She was able to complete her bachelor of science degree, double majoring in Sports Medicine and Health at Ohio Northern University.  She also completed her Master of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.  She worked as a certified athletic trainer for over 9 years before her failing health forced her to stop.
 In 2008, Kim was evaluated for a double lung transplant at Nationwide Children's hospital in Columbus, OH.  She did this just a month after her sister, Angela, passed from complications suffered due to her CF.   At this time, Kim decided to complete the testing required for a double lung transplant.  Kim had to transfer her care to the Cleveland Clinic, as Columbus was forced to suspend their program because the director left the area for another job.  She was listed for a double lung transplant in March of 2009.  She struggled during this time as her health was quickly declining.  In February of 2011, my daughter had to be flown to the Cleveland Clinic for life saving measures.  Kim was place on ECMO, a life sustaining heart lung machine.  We didn't know if she would survive long enough to even receive a transplant that she desperately needed.  Finally, in March of 2011 she received her miracle and given the gift of a second chance at life.  A donor match had been found!
 It was a very trying time for Kim and the rest of her family and friends.  Kim experienced many complications, beginning immediately after surgery.  These ups and downs after surgery lasted for over 6 months.  She ended up spending a total of 6.5 months in the hospital.  She was discharged from the hospital in August and finally able to return home in September.  Kim has incurred countless amounts of medical bills during and well after this time.  She still has many medical costs on a monthly basis. Kim is still unable to work and is on Disability.
 Soon after surgery, Kim experienced acute kidney failure and needed dialysis on many occasions throughout her recovery process.  Her body was constantly retaining fluid due to the loss of kidney function and the trauma from the transplant.  Kim has been followed by a nephrologist since this time.  She also needed to adjust her diet accordingly.  Approximately five years after lung transplant, Kim began going to a local renal clinic.  Here, she was educated more about the physiology and function of the kidneys and what an important role they play for the body.  Kim would eventually have to be put on dialysis as a life sustaining treatment.
 My daughter, Kim, chose peritoneal dialysis.  This type of dialysis makes it possible to have a more independent lifestyle.  She had a catheter surgically inserted into her abdomen.  Due to her immunosuppression that keeps her from rejecting her lungs, she took longer to heal.  This slightly delayed starting the dialysis treatments.  She was finally able to begin dialysis treatments in May of 2016.  This was an extra burden, as her father was hospitalized and was very ill.  Kim did her dialysis treatments as she needed, even if it meant bringing her treatments to the hospital so she could spend time with her dad.  She did this with ease and without ever complaining.
 During the last four years, Kim's quality of life has been decreased immensely.  She has experienced many symptoms of kidney failure, some on a daily basis.  She has also been hospitalized many times for fluid overload and other kidney related issues.  Kim started being evaluated for kidney transplant at the Cleveland Clinic and was finally listed!  She had been made inactive on the list due to a loss of lung function and other medical issues.  In September of 2019, Kim decided to be evaluated at the OSU Wexner Medical Center.  Her lung function was improved and she was welcomed with open arms.  The surgeon that she spoke with deemed her a good candidate for kidney transplant with the intentions of all of the testing having acceptable results.  Thankfully, she was listed for transplant a few months later.  Now, to find a living donor to increase the rate and length of survival.
 Kim was blessed with two younger sisters, Michelle and Angela.  As you have read previously, Angela passed away in 2008 from complications of CF.  Michelle has always been the healthy one, she selflessly and lovingly decided to be tested to see if she could be a potential donor.  She was a match and Kim had a potential donor!  Then the pandemic of Covid-19 happened and all elective surgeries were either cancelled or postponed due to the need to care for those who were infected by the virus.  The kidney transplant was deemed elective due to the fact that she had her sister as a donor and her dialysis treatments would keep her alive.
 Finally, surgery is scheduled for the end of July.  Kim will be responsible for 20% of all of the costs incurred during this time.  I am asking for your support, no amount is too little.  I would just like to lessen the burden from all of the healthcare costs for my daughter.  Thank you for your kindness and consideration in this matter.  Any donations will be greatly appreciated.  Donations will be used for medical bills.  Well wishes, prayers and words of encouragement are also welcomed and appreciated.  Please share with your friends and family and encourage them to share and keep this cause spreading.  We would like to reach out to as many people as possible.  Thank you for your support during this difficult time for our family.