Kay's Kidney Quest - Fundraising for Transplant

#KaysKidneyQuest

Hi! My name is Kristine "Kay" Torcuator, and I’m in my early 30’s, and I'm an only child. I desperately need a Life-Saving Kidney Transplant. I’m fighting every day to live, and I’m trying to get my health to where I can go after my goals in life once again.

I’ve been battling Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrotic Syndrome for the last 9 years and I’ve had to put a hold on most of my dreams, goals and passions in life since getting sick.

My loved ones and I are hoping to find me a live kidney donor. It’s truly a BIG ASK and it’s also such a BIG GIVE. But we know God has my MIRACLE out there.

I'm now in Stage 5 End Stage Renal Disease and I've been doing dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours each treatment since March 6, 2023. I have been on the search for a potential live kidney donor since July 2022.

I've also been listed on the UNOS Kidney Transplant Waiting List (for a cadaver donor) at UF Shands in Gainesville since September 2022. I’m currently also getting listed very soon on the transplant waiting list at Tampa General Hospital.

When my Mom, Anna Torcuator, and I first learned that I would be needing a kidney transplant she instantly offered to donate one of her kidneys to me. Unfortunately, she is diabetic and having diabetes automatically rules out a potential donor.

Chronic Kidney Disease runs in my family. I had 2 Uncles (my Mom’s older brothers who passed at ages 50 and 60) who had CKD but I’m the only one in our family who battles Nephrotic Syndrome (which is a kidney disorder that intensifies CKD). Both of my Uncles have done dialysis for several years but sadly they never received a call from UNOS with a kidney offer.

With me battling Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrotic Syndrome it has been so much throughout the years. CKD/NS itself and the medications (like steroids for years) to treat it have caused other illnesses that I’ve been dealing with for a long time now such as Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Pancreatitis, Cataracts, Arthritis, Blood Clots (resulting into having Open Heart Surgery), Anxiety, etc.

As we are searching for a live kidney donor, we are also fundraising to raise money for any and all expenses related to my illnesses and a kidney transplant.

If I find a potential live kidney donor then the funds raised will also help them with expenses on their end related to the kidney transplant such as transportation to and from the hospital (for any evaluation testing, the actual surgery, and post-op follow-up visits that are required), lodging assistance if needed related to the surgery, any loss of income during the surgery and recover time, meals needed during surgery/recovery, if child care is needed during surgery/recover. Any other expenses you feel are related can be discussed for assistance using fundraising funds.

The surgeries for both myself and a potential live kidney donor are covered by my insurance along with any evaluation testing, post-op medications and follow-up visits.

We greatly appreciate any donation you can offer. If you’re unable to donate we ask that you please share this and any of our Facebook posts as we never know who will see my need for a kidney and could potentially be my miracle.

To be tested please fill out UF Shands Gainesville’s Live Kidney Donor Online Application:

 http://redcap.link/kidneydonor 

(My legal name for the form is Kristine Torcuator.)

You can learn more about my story and my quest for a kidney at the links below. I will also be constantly posting updates here on GoFundMe.

Follow my quest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KaysKidneyQuest

My front page article interview with Citrus County Chronicle: https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/local-woman-needs-kidney-during-march-national-kidney-month/article_e0eae4a8-cfe8-56e5-9f4e-d953751f29ef.html

My interview with CCLive: https://fb.watch/mp31v4TkoH/

Thank you from both myself and my Mom for taking the time to read this and for any assistance you can help with. We appreciate all the continued prayers as I continue my quest for a kidney to save my life!