Amanda Anderson #KeepingJoy

Jonathan Panlilio is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Amanda Anderson.

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Amanda Anderson, a young 25-year old, is a spirited and fun-loving woman who has endured a roller coaster of a life. She was born healthy and did everything a normal child would do. But that only lasted until the tender age of 3 when she found herself vomiting regularly and becoming very weak and lethargic.

As a toddler, Amanda was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome and her life was never the same. The ensuing years proved to be anything but bearable. Not only did she have to undergo numerous blood works, hospital admissions from one relapse to another, intravenous infusions, and multiple medications, but an adjustment to a lifestyle that no young child should ever endure.

However, Amanda has been a real fighter. Regardless of her trials, she’s kept that sweet smile, trying to live her everyday life as normal as possible.

·       At the age of 14, her kidneys began to fail and she was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS); a condition wherein tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste get scarred leading to damage and eventual kidney failure.

·       At the age of 15, both of her kidneys finally failed and required a transplant. She got her first kidney transplant, but after only three days, the transplanted kidney started showing signs of rejection. All the aggressive and invasive treatments (plasmapheresis for eight months and intravenous immunoglobulin) after a couple of years proved futile.

·       At the age of 17, she relied on dialysis treatments, three times per week for survival. For six long years, this was her very lifeline.

Despite all the bumps along the road, her strong faith and perseverance gave her the courage to keep praying that one day, a perfect kidney match will be hers. On April 19, 2013, her prayers were answered. A donor transplant was found across the country in Los Angeles, CA (Amanda resides in New Jersey) and she received her second transplant. It’s been over two years since then and her JOY (name she had given to her miracle kidney) has lived up to its name. But of course, with every story, there has to be a twist.

Amanda’s dream is to one day be a chef that specializes in nutrition. Her passion to help and educate people who are afflicted with this type of condition keeps her strong and focused. However, due to her health, it’s taken her seven long years to complete her goal. From the financial strain of medical costs to the condition itself, adversities piled up and delayed Amanda from obtaining her degree and fulfilling her dreams. Due to the various withdrawals and breaks from school, financial aid has denied further assistance.

As strong as Amanda is, maintaining a transplanted kidney while pursuing her education is a challenge that she needs assistance with. Even with the help of insurance, the medical bills and costs associated have piled up. Your donations would help with the following:

·       Prescription expenses (lifelong anti-rejection medicine, insulin pump for steroid induced diabetes)

·       Multiple extended hospital stays, lodging, and travel expenses (transplant team is located in Los Angeles, CA at Cedars Sinai which specializes in FSGS)

·       Unpaid medical leave (she has had to leave work indefinitely due to upcoming treatments)

·       Tuition and associated expenses

On behalf of Amanda, her family, and I, we appreciate the prayers of support that have been outpouring her way. She is the last person to ever ask for help, but we believe this would be a great opportunity. With your support, Amanda will be able to get the best health care possible and will have the opportunity to live a “normal” life.