A GoFundMe account has been setup to help a local woman pay for stem-cell replacement therapy in her battle against chronic kidney disease, which she has been battling for 25 years.
Dana Eagle Smith, known by many through her 12 years as a server and manager at Bayside Café or working for Coastal Tree Experts, Inc., is managing chronic kidney disease. She is on the transplant list at Cedars-Sinai hospital and is actively seeking for a live donor, but her immediate goal is to improve her kidney function enough to avoid having to go on dialysis and potentially avoid the need for a transplant altogether.
Recently, Dana learned about an alternative treatment option, stem cell replacement therapy. This innovative approach offers the potential to repair damaged kidney tissue. This regenerative treatment targets kidney scarring and inflammation, offering her the best opportunity to restore her health and keep her own kidneys functioning.
The good news is that Dana has been approved for the stem cell therapy program at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
However, while Dana was hopeful for assistance, recent changes in federal funding have made this procedure an out-of-pocket expense. Between the cost of the stem cells and cross-country travel required for care, the goal is to raise $30,000, the page says. Although the Mayo Clinic is not charging for this procedure and continuing their research, the cost of the stem cells is $27,000 and travel and lodging bringing our goal to $30,000.”
Her friends say Dana “has always been the kind of person who shows up — quietly, consistently, and with a full heart to help,” says the GoFundMe page (bit.ly/4djeg2D). At 62 years young, she has spent her life working hard, caring for others: family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who needs a helping hand. She is a ray of sunshine on our Central Coast.”
As of May 1, close to $11,000 of the goal has been raise on GoFundMe. If someone is a match, friends are asking to consider donating a living kidney through the Cedars-Sinai Living Donor Program. For more information about that, go to https://bit.ly/3OAm5ru.
Those who want to help support Dana may also purchase handcrafted art from The “Cougar Pod,” Dana’s circle of friends. They are crafting one-of-a-kind driftwood and shell mobiles with 100% of proceeds going towards Dana’s treatment. Check them out at OffshoreShellCompany.etsy.com.
