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Robin Schrader, 15 years old, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease after she underwent a physical exam for cheerleading, CBS News reports.
The doctor discovered that Schrader’s blood pressure was alarmingly high. She was immediately taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with MPGN, or Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, a rare disease where the kidney gets attacked by the immune system.
At first, Robin’s mom, Cirila Munyon, wanted to donate her own kidney. However, she discovered that she has a history of diabetes and other blood conditions. Therefore, she wasn’t a right fit to donate and transplant her kidneys to her daughter.
Munyon told KVOA, “Right now, her doctor has said she needs it ASAP, while she is still in good health.” Robin said that according to doctors, her kidneys were almost dysfunctional; only 14 per cent were only working.
Schrader told KVOA, “I don’t get to do much. Just sitting in there is kind of boring.”
Robin’s organs lost all function four months later. Due to this, Schrader failed to join the cheerleading squad. Her daily routine now includes four hours of dialysis. She does this for three days a week.
Munyon wanted to help her daughter in any way. So, she wrote a sign on the back window of her van. She’s looking for a new kidney for her daughter. She also went on Facebook to ask family and friends for help.
Weeks later, Schrader received more than 170 potential donors. All of them agreed to fill out forms to check if they are compatible with Robin’s type.
John Drattlo took a photo of the sign and posted it on Facebook. The Drattlo family met Schrader and her family for the first time when the teen was going through treatment.
Munyon told CBS News, “They were actually surprised she hadn’t passed out yet or worse. Not only were her kidneys not working, but it affects so many other areas.”
She added, “She loves to do normal stuff. She can’t be a cheerleader, can’t do sports, they won’t let her do any of that stuff she wants. Dialysis puts a drain on her body. She’s been sick.”
Munyon joked, “Do not give up, whatever you do—even if it’s something someone thinks is crazy.”
Schrader’s family set up a GoFundMe page for kind people to donate and send their messages of encourage to the teen. So far, the campaign racked up to $4,000. It’s a long journey from the set goal.
