Rodney Needs Help Paying For His Kidney Transplant

Steve Cooper here-

Dear Friends and Family,

This is one of the most difficult things I have EVER had to write about.

I am starting a “Go Fund Me” for Rodney Stepp and his health care expenses.

You may or may not know, but I hope you know about his C19 (COVID-19) Experience.

Rodney was one of the first patients to be admitted to IU North hospital with COVID. If you want a short explanation of his struggle, here’s a video link to a music video I created about his experience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVfyKlRoNYc

If you want a full or complete explanation, here’s a link to a documentary that was created about the seriousness about not only Rodney’s experience, but other dear friends, and their experience, many of which are no longer with us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcaFzuRAOwI

These videos will give you the complete story about a human being that is not only a best friend to me and many others, but a man who I consider family.

To be blunt, Rodney’s kidneys are functioning at 14% and this can NOT continue to sustain his life. After being released from the hospital after over 40 days in the ICU hospital, Rodney was required to be on dialysis for 13 months before he was able to “get by” without it. Rodney was blessed to be off dialysis in June of 2021. If you want to know what it’s like to be on dialysis, google it- it NOT fun to say the least. Rodney is a better, stronger man than I am. I could not have endured what he is going through, and yet he is concerned for my (and others) well being. Rodney’s quality of life has declined , and although he has put on a very brave persona, as my friend, he has not been able to fool me. He needs help and I’m asking you for help that he would never ask for. I am doing this with Rodney’s reluctant permission.

Go Fund Me? Why?

#1 reason: Rodney needs a kidney to live, plain and simple. The slightest infection, or illness can drop his kidney function to be lethal and his body cannot sustain a 14% kidney function.

#2 reason: He is my best friend and I cannot afford, nor can he afford the cost in dollars. Did you know the average cost of a kidney transplant as of 2020 was $442,500.00 in the US? Even if negotiated down with insurance, Rodney’s medical expenses and insurance alone will only cover 80% of his bills.

#3: Medical expenses listed above do NOT account for any complications. Medical coverage does NOT cover Rodney’s REQUIRED 2 months of room and board that he will NEED to stay in Cleveland, simply for his weekly follow up and lab work that will need to be done in Cleveland. I will point out that all of the above statements are true only if Rodney has zero complications and everything goes smoothly, as we all hope and pray it does!

#4: Even AFTER Rodney completes 2 months of staying in Cleveland, Rodney will be required to go to Cleveland each and every month for 6 months with overnight stays.

#5: Rodney will have NO INCOME for TWO months, to pay for things like mortgage, utilities, and ever day living expenses that we all have. You can donate to this campaign knowing that a very, very small percentage (less than 3%) goes to the executing of this Go Fund Me administration. I am not, and will not receive ANY compensation- your donations will go DIRECTLY into an account of Rodney’s, that has been specifically set up for these expenses.

I don’t often beg, but I am begging for your help and financial support. Of course we appreciate your prayers and concern, but Rodney needs more. Please show him your love by supporting this fund. Every dollar helps. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Steve Cooper