This is my handsome, 14-year-old son JUDE. ♥ JUDE needs a kidney transplant, and a living donor is his best chance for survival. In August 2011, when JUDE was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome- a chronic kidney disorder that causes our bodies to pass too much protein in our urine. Our kidneys filter our blood, separating things our body needs from things it doesn’t. In JUDE’s case, nothing was being filtered back into his body. For the past 10 years, my son has been fighting this disease hoping prescription medication would be able to maintain kidney function. He’s been hospitalized many times. Unfortunately on October 7, 2019, JUDE’s condition worsened and he was rushed to Primary Children’s Hospital; he had a CVC (Central Venous Catheter) put in to start emergency dialysis. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Failure or ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease). To this day Jude goes to Primary Children’s Hospital for dialysis 3 times a week (Mon/Wed/Fri) for 3-4 hour treatments. This disease has completely changed my son’s life. He went from being so healthy, energetic, fun, and outgoing to shutting down.
A little family background: Jude is number 7 of 8 kids. My husband (Jude’s father) passed away suddenly from a heart attack May 12, 2012, less than a year after Jude was diagnosed. We were still dealing with the devastation from Jude’s diagnosis and illness when this happened. I became a widow and single mother of 8 kids all under the age of 18 within a year of Jude’s diagnosis. What would be the best solution for my family’s future? Furthering my education seemed like the best thing to do so I enrolled myself in college in October 2013 and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration in April 2017. I worked 2-3 jobs while earning my degree and taking care of my kids. Jude was my priority and still is.
Jude is currently waiting for a kidney match to be transplanted. When COTA was introduced to me during the transplant education session, I was relieved to learn of a program that would be able to assist in the financial burden. His condition will require more kidney transplants, doctor visits, medication, treatment, lab work, and more for the rest of his life. COTA gives me the chance to focus more on his health and well-being.
I’m grateful for the support from COTA and the COTA for Jude’s Kidney fundraising team, which consists of my close friends/family. If you’re interested in becoming a donor for Jude, go on www.UofUlivingdonor.org. Donations to COTA in honor of Jude are welcome and much appreciated.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, ♥ the Mulitalo Gang.
#myjudey #Judeskidney
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.