The Paula McDaniel Group is asking for help raising $12,000 for the ongoing medical treatment for seven-year-old Shafer Daves.
Shafer was born in 2009 with an extremely rare medical condition of which there have been only 200 diagnosed cases in the world. The syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that includes chronic kidney disease leading to failure by age three, kidney cancer (known as Wilms’ Tumor) in many cases, and other difficulties.
Shafer's kidney function declined rapidly due to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in October 2010 resulting in a double nephrectomy (full kidney removal surgery).
To bridge to transplant, Shafer was on peritoneal dialysis eleven hours a day to sustain his life, and received his nutrition primarily through a feeding tube.
Shafer's medical team approved his mother to be the living donor for her son, as she was a 6 antigen perfect match. Jada and Shafer were successfully transplanted on June 22, 2011 at the Rascal Flatts Surgery Center at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville. Shafer has already had five major surgeries, and knowing that transplant is a treatment, not a cure, he has a future of medical uncertainties ahead. While Shafer has been blessed with six years of improved health, his kidney function has now declined to about 40% as he continues to be on a nightly feeding tube and receives multiple doses of medications and boluses daily.
The cost for a kidney transplant often exceeds $500,000, which can be overwhelming for a family. While insurance covers some of the cost, the expected out-of-pocket costs are estimated to be $75,000. Even with insurance, the months and years leading up to and following a transplant require thousands of dollars of continuing medication and treatment costs.
The making of a special bond
Ms. McDaniel said, "I was at a Christmas party several years ago and I had the privilege of meeting this amazing lady, Jada, that adored her family and told me the story of her son, Shafer. She gave me a picture of Shafer and asked that I pray for him. Shafer was probably two or three at the time, and I told her that I would start praying and I did. Last year, my husband and I were attending a funeral and while we were sitting in the church pew watching all the people going through the line (now keep in mind I have never meet Shafer), I saw Jada and her beautiful family. I leaned over to George and I said, 'That is Shafer, the boy I have been praying for,' and at that moment, Shafer looked right into my eyes and waved at me, and I said, 'George, he knows that I have been praying for him!'
"George saw what I saw in that amazing moment. We talked and met the entire family, and it was love at first sight. We invited them to spend time with us in the Fall at the lake, and from then on, the special bond with this family was created. We have continued to grow more in love with this family, and we would greatly appreciate your support in helping Shafer.
"Please consider making a monetary donation to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), which is a national 501(c)3 charity. Donations can be made to COTA in honor of Shafer D. 100% of the funds raised will go toward medical and/or transplant-related expenses. The journey is long, but with your support, we can make a difference!
"Please visit www.COTAForShaferD.com to see a video of his life story and for information on how you can donate today. Help us help him!"
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
The goal is to raise at least $12,000.
Make a secure online donation go to http://www.cotaforshaferd.com/WaysToHelp
Or you can send a check, payable to COTA (include “for ShaferD” on the memo line), to:
Children's Organ Transplant Association
2501 COTA Drive
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
All donations are tax-deductible.
Monetary gifts of $75.00 or more will receive a statement of giving from COTA.