GoFundMe: Support Joe's Kidney Donation

MINOOKA, IL - A 2016 graduate of Minooka High School recently set up a GoFundMe account to defray the financial burden for her father's recent kidney transplant. Katelynn Fuller-Svarz informed followers on social media that she was able to donate one of her kidneys to her dad Joe Svarz. The family says he is an Army veteran who worked as a nurse and managed a program to help patients who are military veterans.

"One of the most impressive aspects of my dad is that he chose to be my dad," Katelynn advised readers of her GoFundMe page. "He came into mine and my sister's lives when we were very young; actually I don’t remember a life without him as dad. He wanted to be more than just my stepdad. He jumped right in without hesitation and loved us as if we were his biological children."

The GoFundMe is called Joe's Kidney Transplant Fund. Patch spoke with Katelynn's mother last week and she said the kidney transplant took place at the end of July. So far, both her husband and Katelynn seem to be doing great in terms of their recovery.

"He is doing well," his wife told Patch. "The kidney is doing really well. We're just hopeful for the best. So far it's going pretty good."

So why is the GoFundMe necessary? Katelynn explains in great detail why any and all donations and moral support are greatly appreciated. She is currently a college student at the Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, where she is entering her junior year.

"My dad has reached a point where he is no longer able to work due to his illness … The doctors have suggested that he plan for a minimum of 12 weeks (assuming there are no complications or set backs) of missed work post transplant and for me, at least one month," she wrote.

The GoFundMe aims to raise $20,000.

So far, the Minooka family has received $2,090 in donations from 21 people since they launched the account. If you want to donate, please visit Joe's Kidney Transplant Fund.

GoFundMe is a promotional partner of Patch.