Help with Mary Beth's Medical Expenses

My sister Mary Beth Rife has been hospitalized since December 3rd. After experiencing weeks of fatigue and discomfort, she was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital for anemia. The doctors there found blood clots in her kidneys, and she's been diagnosed with Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA).  We are still waiting on lab results to give us a clearer picture of the cause. Her kidneys are 60% scarred/damaged due to the blood clots, and she has been on dialysis for most of her time there. The hope is that the dialysis will allow her kidneys to recover and regain some function. But the possibility that she will require a kidney transplant is still very real.

 

Fortunately, she's in good spirits. She has no shortage of jokes about her busted kidneys. Unfortunately, Mary Beth does not have health insurance, and the financial strain of these medical bills and weeks without work is going to be substantial. Her life-long friends Katieann and Jen are helping her sign up for Medicaid. Her place of work, The Blue Strawberry, is organizing a 2-night benefit show for her on January 11th & 12th.

 

She is 28 years old, and a well known member of the service industry community in St. Louis. If you've met her, you know she is a wonderful, selfless person who makes instant friends. She and our family are so appreciative of the support she's received so far, and any help you can afford will go a long way!

- Derek Rife