Saving Madi-second transplant needed urgently!
Donation protected
My name is Melissa McCammon and I am hoping to raise money for my beloved daughter, Madi McCammon, who needs a second kidney transplant immediately. Unfortunately, after 15 years of kidney disease, 8 years of cancer, and one failed transplant, Madi is back to fighting for her life.
Madi is 23 years old but has spent the last 15 years of her life battling kidney disease. Madi has given my life purpose. Watching her battle this horrible disease, and seeing how close she is to death, I know I must try everything in my power to save her.
Madi was a beautiful, happy child with an infectious laugh and smile that lit up the whole world. She was active, strong, and so healthy. Then she began to suffer from repeated bouts of pneumonia, but we didn’t know why. I took Madi to doctor after doctor after doctor for a diagnosis. Something was wrong, but nobody knew what. After months of searching for an answer, she was diagnosed with chronic renal insufficiency. She was only 8 years old. Within a year she was diagnosed with end stage renal disease. There is no cure for kidney disease, it is a disease that makes you suffer endlessly. It robs children of everything.
Madi began dialysis at age 8 and for 5 years she received peritoneal dialysis, a type of dialysiswhich can be done at home. I learned how to perform the procedure: how to insert catheters, operate the machine, interpret the readings, etc. Every night I would start Madi’s treatments. The treatments went throughout the whole night and I would sleep next to her, holding her and praying for morning to come.
Madi’s condition worsened and she soon needed a stronger form of dialysis, hemodialysis, which can only be performed in a hospital setting or at a dialysis center. For many hours a day, three days a week, for two years, Madi had to leave home for treatment. But we live in a remote area of New York, so the closest hospital was 85 miles away–over two hours by car. I soon lost my job because I had to drive Madi to and from treatment. My husband also wasn’t working full time, so we struggled with money, but we did anything we could to support our children. Madi’s condition, however, requires that she have a special diet that is more expensive, often more than we could afford. But we made it. Through failed ports, catheters, grafts, gall bladder surgery, and seventy-three other surgeries… we made it.
In 2012, Madi received her first kidney transplant. We were thrilled. I will never forget that day–we said a prayer for the doner who gave his life so that Madi may live. We rushed to the hospital, smiles across our faces. This started 8 years without dialysis treatment. Soon after the transplant, Madi was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphatic disorder–cancer–because of how many anti-rejection drugs she was on. She underwent chemotherapy, but the cancer would never leave because she had to stay on the anti-rejection drugs. It was a battle between overcoming cancer and keeping a kidney.
Madi was always happy, despite all of this. She even donated a braid of her hair to Locks of Love just to try and give back. She never gave up and she was always grateful. She graduated from high school and went on to college. She chose art therapy as her major because she wanted to help children who were experiencing the same hard and painful childhood that she had experienced.
But a few months ago, Madi’s kidney failed. Madi had a hard time believing that her brief period living a semi-normal life was over. In spite of this, Madi had the courage to begin dialysis again: three times a week, 170 miles round trip, hours on a dialysis machine. She was weak, exhausted. She stayed enrolled in college, moving to a virtual format, squeezing in classes and homework between treatments. Treatments are harder this time, though, because of the constant fear of catching coronavirus. Despite this fear, she was determined to finish her degree so that she may one day have a career in helping children with their own struggles.
Unfortunately, my husband and I lost our jobs due to the pandemic. We are relying on unemployment, but it cannot possibly cover all of the bills that are piling up. Our car is old and runs through gas quickly, but we cannot afford to replace it. We are grateful that Madi’s medical bills are covered by Medicaid and Medicare.
Madi just learned that where her catheter for dialysis usually goes–in her arms–isn’t viable anymore. She’s had too many treatments over the years. Her only option is a graft in her leg, but once that happens there are no options aside from another kidney transplant. Without the transplant she will die.
I have never reached out to an organization like GoFundMe before, but I have heard phenomenal things about the community it fosters, so here I am. I love Madi dearly, and we’re facing extreme circumstances. I need your help–any help.
Madi needs financial assistance for traveling to and from her treatments. We need a reliable vehicle so that we can safely get her there. Madi is back on her renal diet, but we can’t continue to afford the specific foods she needs. Most of all, we need help covering her transplant. She is on the New York transplant list, but we can place her on lists in other states if we can cover the cost of travel to those states when a kidney becomes available.
I humbly ask, from the bottom of my heart, that you share this link with friends and family and, if possible, please donate. Any amount will help. We will gladly verify any of this information. I thank you for your support, your thoughts, your prayers. May God bless all of you.
I will continue to keep Madi’s story updated so you can see how all of your assistance has changed her life. Thank you.
Madi is 23 years old but has spent the last 15 years of her life battling kidney disease. Madi has given my life purpose. Watching her battle this horrible disease, and seeing how close she is to death, I know I must try everything in my power to save her.
Madi was a beautiful, happy child with an infectious laugh and smile that lit up the whole world. She was active, strong, and so healthy. Then she began to suffer from repeated bouts of pneumonia, but we didn’t know why. I took Madi to doctor after doctor after doctor for a diagnosis. Something was wrong, but nobody knew what. After months of searching for an answer, she was diagnosed with chronic renal insufficiency. She was only 8 years old. Within a year she was diagnosed with end stage renal disease. There is no cure for kidney disease, it is a disease that makes you suffer endlessly. It robs children of everything.
Madi began dialysis at age 8 and for 5 years she received peritoneal dialysis, a type of dialysiswhich can be done at home. I learned how to perform the procedure: how to insert catheters, operate the machine, interpret the readings, etc. Every night I would start Madi’s treatments. The treatments went throughout the whole night and I would sleep next to her, holding her and praying for morning to come.
Madi’s condition worsened and she soon needed a stronger form of dialysis, hemodialysis, which can only be performed in a hospital setting or at a dialysis center. For many hours a day, three days a week, for two years, Madi had to leave home for treatment. But we live in a remote area of New York, so the closest hospital was 85 miles away–over two hours by car. I soon lost my job because I had to drive Madi to and from treatment. My husband also wasn’t working full time, so we struggled with money, but we did anything we could to support our children. Madi’s condition, however, requires that she have a special diet that is more expensive, often more than we could afford. But we made it. Through failed ports, catheters, grafts, gall bladder surgery, and seventy-three other surgeries… we made it.
In 2012, Madi received her first kidney transplant. We were thrilled. I will never forget that day–we said a prayer for the doner who gave his life so that Madi may live. We rushed to the hospital, smiles across our faces. This started 8 years without dialysis treatment. Soon after the transplant, Madi was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphatic disorder–cancer–because of how many anti-rejection drugs she was on. She underwent chemotherapy, but the cancer would never leave because she had to stay on the anti-rejection drugs. It was a battle between overcoming cancer and keeping a kidney.
Madi was always happy, despite all of this. She even donated a braid of her hair to Locks of Love just to try and give back. She never gave up and she was always grateful. She graduated from high school and went on to college. She chose art therapy as her major because she wanted to help children who were experiencing the same hard and painful childhood that she had experienced.
But a few months ago, Madi’s kidney failed. Madi had a hard time believing that her brief period living a semi-normal life was over. In spite of this, Madi had the courage to begin dialysis again: three times a week, 170 miles round trip, hours on a dialysis machine. She was weak, exhausted. She stayed enrolled in college, moving to a virtual format, squeezing in classes and homework between treatments. Treatments are harder this time, though, because of the constant fear of catching coronavirus. Despite this fear, she was determined to finish her degree so that she may one day have a career in helping children with their own struggles.
Unfortunately, my husband and I lost our jobs due to the pandemic. We are relying on unemployment, but it cannot possibly cover all of the bills that are piling up. Our car is old and runs through gas quickly, but we cannot afford to replace it. We are grateful that Madi’s medical bills are covered by Medicaid and Medicare.
Madi just learned that where her catheter for dialysis usually goes–in her arms–isn’t viable anymore. She’s had too many treatments over the years. Her only option is a graft in her leg, but once that happens there are no options aside from another kidney transplant. Without the transplant she will die.
I have never reached out to an organization like GoFundMe before, but I have heard phenomenal things about the community it fosters, so here I am. I love Madi dearly, and we’re facing extreme circumstances. I need your help–any help.
Madi needs financial assistance for traveling to and from her treatments. We need a reliable vehicle so that we can safely get her there. Madi is back on her renal diet, but we can’t continue to afford the specific foods she needs. Most of all, we need help covering her transplant. She is on the New York transplant list, but we can place her on lists in other states if we can cover the cost of travel to those states when a kidney becomes available.
I humbly ask, from the bottom of my heart, that you share this link with friends and family and, if possible, please donate. Any amount will help. We will gladly verify any of this information. I thank you for your support, your thoughts, your prayers. May God bless all of you.
I will continue to keep Madi’s story updated so you can see how all of your assistance has changed her life. Thank you.
Organizer
Melissa Anne Paro
Organizer
Clayton, NY