Audrey Parenti, 35, was diagnosed nearly five years ago with chronic kidney disease, a secondary complication of having type one diabetes since childhood, according to a GoFundMe jointly launched by Parenti and Ramona C Ruhf.
She is now in end-stage renal failure as a result of the disease's rapid progression, necessitating a life-saving kidney transplant, the fundraiser reads.
Despite her medical complications, Parenti "has been working harder than ever these past few years, working overtime as a paramedic, through the pandemic, to make sure she can save enough money to cover the costs of her illness."
She works for the Cetronia Ambulance Corps in Allentown.
More than $14,000 had been raised on the GoFundMe as of Friday, March 4. Its goal is $20,000.
"Any additional funds will be donated to charities that assist others with transplant needs, or will go toward assisting diabetics in receiving their life-sustaining medication," the fundraiser reads.
Those who want to know if they are a potential match are encouraged to fill out a form on the Lehigh Valley Health Network website to begin the screening process.
Click here to view/donate to the GoFundMe.
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