On Thanksgiving Day of 2024, our lives changed in an instant.
Fernando suddenly collapsed at home and had to be rushed to the hospital. For weeks before that, he believed he was just fighting off a cold and had gone to his primary doctor multiple times. We never imagined it was something life-threatening.
When we arrived at the hospital, the doctors were shocked he was still alive and conscious. His red blood cell count was dangerously low, he had pneumonia, and nearly all of his vital levels were critically unstable.
Within hours, he was rushed into the ICU.
Over the next several days, Fernando was seen by multiple specialists, underwent countless tests, and required several blood transfusions just to stay alive. Then we received news that completely changed everything.
Fernando’s kidney function was only around 7–8%. He was in end-stage kidney failure.
We were in complete disbelief.
If you know Fernando, you know he has always been a hardworking, strong, and selfless man. For 52 years, he has lived a healthy lifestyle,he eats well, does not drink, smoke, or use drugs, and has never struggled with any major medical conditions.
More importantly, he is a loving husband and a present, devoted father who has always put his family first. He has spent his life working hard to provide, support, and show up for the people he loves every single day.
That’s why this diagnosis was so shocking, not just to us, but to the doctors as well.
After about a week in the ICU, Fernando was stabilized enough to be moved to a regular hospital room, where we remained for several more weeks. During that time, he had to have a port placed and begin peritoneal dialysis, something that has completely changed his daily life.
As a family, we were overwhelmed, scared, confused, and trying to process a reality we never expected.
After weeks of testing, we finally got answers.
Fernando was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in small blood vessels and can severely damage organs, especially the kidneys and lungs. He underwent two rounds of chemotherapy to stop his immune system from attacking his body.
While the treatments helped stabilize the disease, the damage to his kidneys was already done, and it is irreversible. Today, both of Fernando’s kidneys are in end-stage failure.
Why We Need Your Help
Fernando now urgently needs a kidney transplant to survive and regain a better quality of life. We are actively searching for a living donor, someone who could truly save his life. Fernando has so much life left to live.
He has his first grandchild on the way, and more than anything, we want him to be here for all of those beautiful first moments, for the first smile, the first steps, the first words. He deserves that chance.
How You Can Make A Difference
Consider becoming a living donor
Transplant Institute: Tampa General Hospital 813-844-5669
Donate if you are able
Your support will help cover:
Ongoing medical treatments and dialysis
Transplant-related expenses
Medications and recovery costs
Travel and hospital-related needs
Share Fernando’s story with others, this is one of the most powerful ways to help us find a donor
From Our Family To Yours
Fernando is more than a patient, he is the heart of our family. We are holding onto faith and hope that the right person will see this and choose to help give him a second chance at life.
Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support during this incredibly difficult time.
