Local gym to host fundraising events for 7th grader in need of a new kidney
CrossFit Unshackled and Advanced Body Chiropractic are teaming up to raise money for a young girl in need of a new kidney.
The businesses will host five fundraising events in the coming weeks at Unshackled's gym in southeast Rochester. About 80 local athletes, split into four teams, will compete each week in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes, enjoy food and music, and participate in raffles featuring prizes from dozens of supporting businesses.
All proceeds from the events will go into a medical expense account set up for Kiana Mauskemo, a 7th grader from St. Charles who suffers from rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Kiana was first diagnosed with the kidney disease in 2008 — when she was just six years old — and underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and steroidal infusions. While she has managed to remain stable since, her kidney function continues to deteriorate.
At Kiana's last appointment, doctors told her family that her kidney function is down to 23 percent. Once that number drops below 20 percent, she will be put on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
"She is scared, but ready to move forward and be healthy again," Kiana's mother, Jamie, wrote on her GoFundMe page. "If you ever get the chance to meet Kiana, you would never guess she was carrying such a huge load. She always has a smile on her face and her laughter is contagious."
Event details:
Friday nights Feb. 26 through March 25
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
$10 cost of admission (includes food)
Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each.
Donor information:
No current match
Kiana is O Positive and will need a donor with the same blood type.
A Facebook page has been set up for future updates.
Featured content:
(Cover photo courtesy Kiana's family)
