Eva is a Fighter, and She Needs Your Help

Eva was 14-years-old in 2019 when doctors diagnosed her with a rare kidney disease called FSGS. A few months later, she started dialysis. Her first kidney transplant came in July 2020 at the age of 15. After one year of receiving treatments in Minneapolis, the disease scarred her kidney, plunging her into kidney failure and forcing her to start dialysis again. Eva did dialysis for a year-and-a-half, then went on the active kidney transplant list. She received three calls for a kidney. None of them worked out. She was either too sick for the transplant or, in one case, the kidney was too damaged.

 

In 2023, Eva graduated from high school with honors. On the day of her graduation party in July, Eva got another call about a transplant. She enjoyed her party with family and friends and then went to the University of Minnesota Masonic Hospital. The next night, she received her second kidney transplant. The kidney started working immediately, but a few days later it became “sleepy.” She underwent dialysis until the kidney started producing more urine.

 

From the moment of the transplant, doctors have treated her with everything possible to keep her FSGS under control. For the most part, they have been successful, but it has required large amounts of medication and a number of treatments in Minneapolis and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Some of the medications and treatments have made life difficult for Eva: at one point, she gained 30 pounds because of the high dose of steroids. She’s been hospitalized for fluid around her heart and kidney, and doctors are now planning to drain the fluid and perform a biopsy to ensure her body is not going to reject the kidney. In the four years since her diagnosis, Eva has experienced so many ups and downs, but she is ready to fight her disease any way she can.

Any help you can give will go to unknown medical bills, transportation, and lodging for her loved ones traveling with her. This will also help her family continue to be by her side, as they cannot work while she is receiving medical attention.

On October 21, 2023 from noon to 5:00pm Eva’s family and friends are hosting a benefit for her at the Lost Tavern with food. Please come and support our Eva.