KELLY'S KIDNEY
Donation protected
Friends,
It’s so great that Facebook has given me the opportunity to connect with folks from every period of my life. Many of you are from my early days in El Paso, where I was raised. My memories of Parkland HS are so vivid, it’s really hard to believe that it was 35 years ago. Most of my other Facebook friends are from my travels as a tennis teaching professional. I’ve been blessed with some great opportunities, seen the country, and met so many people that have enriched my life beyond description.
My friends I’ve known the longest, may remember my battle with childhood cancer. I’ve lived 42 years longer than maybe I should have. All I can say is that I know miracles happen, I wouldn’t be here if they didn’t.
About a year ago, I found out that my only kidney was failing, and that I would need a transplant to live a normal life. It was tough news to receive, but I was thankful that I now lived 30 minutes from one of the finest health systems in the world, the Mayo Clinic!!
So, I set about starting the long process of getting evaluated for candidacy for transplant. Amazingly, my middle brother, Keith Baker, volunteered to donate one of his kidneys. To say that I was overwhelmed with gratitude would be huge understatement.
Well, as it turns out, Keith is a match, and in September, he will be donating one of his extremely healthy kidneys to his little brother!!
As you can imagine, the bills are rolling in daily. My lovely wife, Roan, has taken over our tennis business. Though I’m still working some, she does the lion’s share of the work at West Hills here in Owatonna.
So, after much conversation about the subject between Roan and I, we have decided to start a gofundme page to help us with our mounting expenses. It was not an easy decision, as we are extremely proud, private people who are somewhat introverted outside of work.
Any size donation would be so appreciated!!
With gratitude,
Kelly and Roan
It’s so great that Facebook has given me the opportunity to connect with folks from every period of my life. Many of you are from my early days in El Paso, where I was raised. My memories of Parkland HS are so vivid, it’s really hard to believe that it was 35 years ago. Most of my other Facebook friends are from my travels as a tennis teaching professional. I’ve been blessed with some great opportunities, seen the country, and met so many people that have enriched my life beyond description.
My friends I’ve known the longest, may remember my battle with childhood cancer. I’ve lived 42 years longer than maybe I should have. All I can say is that I know miracles happen, I wouldn’t be here if they didn’t.
About a year ago, I found out that my only kidney was failing, and that I would need a transplant to live a normal life. It was tough news to receive, but I was thankful that I now lived 30 minutes from one of the finest health systems in the world, the Mayo Clinic!!
So, I set about starting the long process of getting evaluated for candidacy for transplant. Amazingly, my middle brother, Keith Baker, volunteered to donate one of his kidneys. To say that I was overwhelmed with gratitude would be huge understatement.
Well, as it turns out, Keith is a match, and in September, he will be donating one of his extremely healthy kidneys to his little brother!!
As you can imagine, the bills are rolling in daily. My lovely wife, Roan, has taken over our tennis business. Though I’m still working some, she does the lion’s share of the work at West Hills here in Owatonna.
So, after much conversation about the subject between Roan and I, we have decided to start a gofundme page to help us with our mounting expenses. It was not an easy decision, as we are extremely proud, private people who are somewhat introverted outside of work.
Any size donation would be so appreciated!!
With gratitude,
Kelly and Roan
Organizer
Roan M Baker
Organizer
Owatonna, MN