27 years old. Fighting one of the rarest cancers in medicine. She has poured herself into everyone she has ever loved. Today, we pour into her.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This road does not end after one treatment. We are in this for however long it takes. A recurring monthly gift — even $10 or $25 a month — means we wake up each month knowing consistent support is coming. Every recurring donor becomes a permanent, named part of our family's fight. We will never forget what you did for our daughter.
You can modify or cancel a recurring gift at any time through GoFundMe.
What Your Gift Covers
$25
Helps keep her recovery bag stocked with what her body needs
$75
Helps bring Kirsten one leg closer to Houston for treatment
$100
Helps offset the cost of nutritional support during a week of treatment
$250
Helps keep the family afloat during a week away from home
$500
Moves us closer to protecting her dream of becoming a mother one day
$1,000
Becomes a meaningful part of one treatment session at MD Anderson
⏱ Time-Sensitive Need
Fertility preservation must happen before chemotherapy begins. Every day counts. The aggressive treatments Kirsten will undergo may greatly reduce her chances of having children in the future. Doctors have strongly encouraged her to see a fertility specialist immediately. This window is closing. If you can give toward fertility preservation today — please do.
Cancer picked the wrong child of God. Kirsten Wells is surrounded by faith, family, and an entire community that refuses to let her fight alone. Your gift — no matter the size — joins that circle.
Transportation and housing for full treatment phase
$98,000
Current GoFundMe goal — full extended treatment and recovery
Cancer Picked the Wrong Girl — Together, We Win.
We Show Up. We Speak Up. We Pray. We Fight. We Win.
Faith Over Fear.
Still Smiling. Still Fighting. Hope Over Everything.
Tougher Than Cancer — Team Kirsten.
In This Family We Don't Back Down. We Fight Together. We Win.
“Our daughter is the heart of everything we do.”
Our Why
Kirsten's Story: Our Why
Our daughter Kirsten is 27 years old — and she is one of the most beautiful souls we have ever known. She lights up every room she walks into. She has always been the first to show up for anyone who needed her, with compassion, encouragement, and a quiet, unshakeable strength. She dreams of a full life — of building something, of loving deeply, of becoming a mother one day. Today, she is facing the fight of her life. And we are believing with everything we have for her healing.
We will not pretend this is easy. The emotional and financial weight of this journey is unlike anything we have ever carried. Treatment at one of the world's leading cancer centers does not come without cost — in travel, in housing, in medications, in time away from the life she was building. We are asking for your help because we cannot do this alone. And we believe that is exactly what community is for.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Timeline of Kirsten's Journey
Onset of Symptoms
Kirsten begins experiencing symptoms that lead to seeking medical evaluation.
Diagnosis Received
Our beloved Kirsten Wells is diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma and Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy.
Illness Confirmed Spread
This type of kidney illness has spread to the lymph nodes behind the abdominal organs.
Specialized Care Required
Local providers in Illinois advise that specialized expertise is required and is not available locally for this specific condition.
MD Anderson Referral — Houston TX
Kirsten is referred to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX — one of the only institutions in the world with deep expertise in treating this rare condition.
Treatment Begins Immediately
Kirsten will receive a combination of treatments including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Her medical team fights urgently for her healing and recovery.
Fertility Specialist Consultation
Preserving hope for her future. Doctors have strongly encouraged Kirsten to see a fertility specialist immediately to explore preserving her ability to have children before treatment begins.
Future Milestones
This timeline grows as Kirsten's journey continues. Check the Updates section for the latest from our family.
We are believing for healing. We are believing for miracles. We are believing for a future where our daughter gets to live the life she was made for — full of joy, full of purpose, and full of love. Our faith is not shaken. It is what gets us through every single day.
Kirsten's words, in her own voice — coming soon.
From Our Family to Yours
Dynna Mother
Calvin Father
We are Kirsten's parents. And we want you to know what it feels like to watch your daughter fight the hardest battle of her life — and to see strangers become family in the process.
I am Dynna Kelly-Rodgers, Kirsten's mom. I am the one writing these updates, making the calls, standing in the gap. Every post, every prayer request, every message you see — that is me, refusing to stop fighting for my daughter.
Calvin Rodgers, her dad, is right here with me. His strength anchors this family on the days when we can barely find the words. Together, we are showing up every single day — in prayer, in presence, and in purpose.
Our faith is not shaken. It has been deepened. And we are grateful beyond anything we can express for everyone who has chosen to walk this road with us. You are not just donors. You are part of our family now.
She is stronger than she knows. And so are we. — Dynna & Calvin
Understanding the Journey
Her Diagnosis: Renal Medullary Carcinoma and Stage 4 RCC
Our beloved Kirsten Wells has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma and Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy. This type of kidney illness has spread to the lymph nodes behind the abdominal organs.
What Is Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma?
The illness has spread beyond the kidney. Renal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of kidney illness. At Stage 4 it has reached distant lymph nodes or organs. Kirsten's specific form — Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy — means it has spread to the lymph nodes behind the abdominal cavity. This requires aggressive and specialized treatment.
What Is Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy?
Lymphadenopathy means enlarged lymph nodes. Retroperitoneal refers to the space behind the abdominal cavity. When illness spreads to this region it presents unique treatment challenges and requires highly specialized care. This is why local providers in Illinois were unable to offer Kirsten a path forward, and why MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX became her destination.
Renal Medullary Carcinoma: A Rare Kidney Cancer Affecting Young Adults
Kirsten's diagnosis also identified Renal Medullary Carcinoma — an extremely rare and aggressive subtype of kidney illness. RMC accounts for less than 0.5 percent of all kidney cases and strikes primarily in the 20s. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Most local physicians never encounter a single RMC case during their entire careers. This is why specialized treatment at MD Anderson is not a preference. It is a medical necessity. Kirsten is in the right fight, at the right place, with the right team.
RMC and Sickle Cell Trait: A Critical Connection
Renal Medullary Carcinoma occurs in the vast majority of cases in people with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. Most people who carry the sickle cell trait are completely unaware of this risk. Kirsten has the sickle cell trait.
If you or someone you love carries sickle cell trait, this information is important for your health awareness and screening decisions. Sharing Kirsten's story may save a life by raising awareness of this connection.
Kirsten's Treatment Plan at MD Anderson
Kirsten will receive a combination of treatments including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She will begin these treatments immediately as her medical team fights urgently for her healing and recovery.
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX is where the world's foremost experts in rare kidney cancer will guide every step of Kirsten's treatment. Our family is grateful that she has access to this level of care, and we are believing for healing, miracles, and a future filled with more life and more joy.
Why MD Anderson for Rare Kidney Cancer Treatment
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX is one of the world's leading institutions for rare and aggressive kidney cancer treatment. Local providers in Illinois — like most providers across the country — have very limited experience treating Renal Medullary Carcinoma.
For Kirsten, traveling to Houston is not a preference. It is a medical necessity. The financial burden of this travel — flights, lodging, living expenses away from home — is why this campaign exists. Your support sends Kirsten where she needs to be.
Preserving Hope for Her Future
The aggressive treatments Kirsten will undergo may greatly reduce her chances of having children in the future. Because she has no children yet, doctors have strongly encouraged her to see a fertility specialist immediately to explore freezing her eggs before treatment begins. This is an additional emotional and financial burden during an already heartbreaking time.
Fertility preservation must happen before chemotherapy begins. Every dollar given today helps make sure Kirsten has the chance to become a mother one day.
Medical Glossary: Plain Language
Renal Cell Carcinoma: A type of kidney illness that begins in the lining of the kidney tubules.
Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy: Enlargement of lymph nodes in the space behind the abdominal cavity.
Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC): An extremely rare and aggressive subtype of kidney illness associated with sickle cell trait, accounting for less than 0.5 percent of all kidney cancers.
Sickle Cell Trait: Carrying one copy of the sickle cell gene — different from sickle cell disease, which requires two copies.
Immunotherapy: Treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight illness.
Chemotherapy: Medication that targets and destroys rapidly dividing cells.
Radiation: Targeted energy used to destroy illness cells.
Metastatic: Illness that has spread from its original location to other parts of the body.
Stage 4: The most advanced stage, indicating spread to distant organs or lymph nodes.
Fertility Preservation: Medical procedures including egg freezing that protect reproductive options before treatment begins.
For Other Families Facing This Diagnosis
If you or someone you love has received a diagnosis of Renal Medullary Carcinoma or a rare kidney illness, you are not alone. The organizations in our Resource Hub are here to help.
The Chris CJ Johnson Foundation and AnCan RMC Virtual Support Group both exist specifically for families navigating RMC. Connecting with others who have walked this road is one of the most powerful steps a family can take. You do not have to figure this out alone.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Transparency
Every Dollar Has a Destination
Stage 4 Renal Medullary Carcinoma is among the most expensive cancers to treat. The figures below reflect published research and general estimates for this type of treatment journey — not line-item invoices. Every patient’s actual costs vary by insurance, treatment protocol, and circumstance. We share them so you understand the weight of what we are carrying, not as guarantees of specific coverage.
Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy & Radiation
Immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer averages $10,000–$12,500 per month. Most patients require 12+ months of continuous treatment. Source: JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 2024.
$120K–$300K/yr
Fertility Preservation — Egg Freezing Before Treatment
Fertility preservation must be completed before chemotherapy begins. Egg retrieval and medication typically costs $15,000–$20,000 and this window closes permanently once treatment starts. Source: ASRM / Livestrong Fertility.
$15K–$20K
Travel — Chicago to Houston MD Anderson
Round-trip flights between Chicago O'Hare and Houston average $280–$400. Patients at specialized cancer centers average 20+ trips during active treatment — not counting emergency travel. Source: American Cancer Society patient travel data.
$6K–$12K
Extended Housing Near MD Anderson
Budget extended-stay housing near the Texas Medical Center runs $1,500–$3,000/month. Hope Lodge Houston offers free lodging but operates first-come, first-served with referral required — placement is not guaranteed. Source: ACS Hope Lodge Houston.
$1.5K–$3K/mo
Prescription Medications
Cancer patients pay an average of $5,000–$12,000 per year in out-of-pocket prescription costs even with insurance coverage. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Cancer Cost Survey.
$5K–$12K/yr
Specialist Appointments, Imaging & Testing
A single appointment at a specialized cancer center like MD Anderson averages $800–$2,500 before insurance adjustment. Diagnostic imaging and labs needed throughout treatment can add $15,000–$30,000 annually.
$15K–$30K/yr
Income Loss & Everyday Living Expenses
75% of cancer patients report significant income loss during active treatment. For a patient in their 20s, the financial gap between income lost and expenses incurred is severe. Source: American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures.
Variable
Nutritional Support & Recovery
Medically tailored nutrition, supplements, and dietary support during immunotherapy and chemotherapy are rarely covered by insurance. RMC patients often require high-nutrient, anti-inflammatory protocols throughout treatment.
$400–$800/mo
Even with insurance, most of these costs are only partially covered. 100% of direct gifts via Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo reach Kirsten immediately with zero platform fees.
Every method below goes directly to Kirsten and her family. Choose what works for you — a one-time gift, a monthly commitment, or simply sharing her story with someone who might give. It all matters.
Reach out to a family member directly to give via Apple Pay.
Your direct gift goes straight to Kirsten and helps immediately.
Just Donated? Help Us Reach More People.
The most powerful thing you can do after giving is share. Every share reaches people who haven't heard Kirsten's story yet. Use the posts below — or write your own.
Ready-to-Share Social Posts
Copy Facebook Post
She never stopped showing up. Now it's our turn. Kirsten Wells — 27 years old — is facing the fight of her life. She is a wonderful and sweet daughter who lights up every room she enters. She has always been the person who shows up for others with compassion, encouragement, and love. Now, she needs us. Her family is believing for healing, miracles, and a future filled with more life and more joy. Every dollar, every share, and every prayer makes a powerful difference. Please help us surround her. 🧡 #TeamKirsten #KirstenStrong #FightWithKirsten https://gofund.me/8b341dc9f
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She never stopped showing up. Neither will we. 🧡 Kirsten Wells. 27. Full of faith. She lights up every room. She has always shown up for others with compassion, encouragement, and love. Now she needs us to show up for her. Her family is believing for healing, miracles, and more life. Every dollar helps. Every prayer matters. Every share counts. Link in bio. #TeamKirsten #KirstenStrong #FightWithKirsten #FaithOverFear #StillSmiling #StillFighting #HopeOverEverything #PrayForKirsten #CancerPickedTheWrongGirl #TougherThanCancer #RMCAwareness #SickleCellTrait #RareKidneyCancer #MDAnderson
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She never stopped showing up for everyone around her. Now it's our turn. Kirsten Wells, 27, is fighting Stage 4 RMC. She lights up every room and has always shown up for others. Her family is believing for healing and miracles. Donate and share. 🧡 #TeamKirsten #KirstenStrong https://gofund.me/8b341dc9f
Copy Text Message
Please pray for Kirsten Wells, 27. She never stopped showing up for others. Now we show up for her. Support her here: https://gofund.me/8b341dc9f #TeamKirsten
I Just Gave — Share This
I just donated to Kirsten Wells's fight and I'm asking you to do the same or simply share this. She is 27 years old, full of faith, and fighting the hardest battle of her life. Every dollar and every prayer matters right now. 🧡 https://gofund.me/8b341dc9f #TeamKirsten #KirstenStrong #FightWithKirsten
Start Your Own Fundraiser for Kirsten
You can multiply your impact by starting your own mini fundraiser for Kirsten. Ask your workplace, church, friend group, or community to give. Every dollar raised in Kirsten's name goes directly to her fight. Here is how:
1
Go to Kirsten's GoFundMe
Visit Kirsten's campaign and see her story directly.
Bold. Minimal. Universal. This shirt belongs to anyone who has ever walked through something hard and come out still standing. The story behind it is Kirsten’s.
Reach the family on Facebook or Instagram to inquire. Tag your photos #TeamKirsten — we reshare every one.
Three Things You Can Do Right Now
01
Give
Every dollar goes directly to Kirsten. No overhead. No platform cut for direct giving. Choose the amount that feels right. All of it matters more than you know.
One share reaches people we will never reach on our own. Use the ready-made posts in this section or write your own. A single share has turned into thousands of dollars before.
03
Pray
Leave a message on the Wall of Love. Kirsten reads every single one. On her hardest days, your words become her strength. Nothing about that is small.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Stay Connected
Walk This Journey With Us
Get Updates Directly
Subscribe to receive personal updates from the family, prayer requests, milestone announcements, and ways to help as Kirsten's journey continues. We will honor your inbox with only what matters most.
Thank you. We will be in touch when there is something real to share. 🧡
You are now part of Kirsten's circle. We are grateful for every person standing with this family.
From the Journal
May 2025
The Fight of Her Life — Our Family's Story
We did not expect to be on this road. Nobody does. But we are here, and we are not walking it alone because of you. Every message, every prayer, every dollar has reminded Kirsten — and all of us — that she is surrounded by more love than she can fully take in right now.
Kirsten is showing up every day with the same heart she has always had — full of faith, full of grace, and full of gratitude. She sees your messages. She feels your prayers. She knows she is not fighting alone.
We will keep this journal updated as her journey continues. Thank you for staying. Thank you for caring. Thank you for being part of her fight.
She is stronger than she knows. Her story isn't over. 🧡 — The Rodgers Family.
Community Love
Every Word You Write, She Holds Close
Leave a prayer, a memory, or whatever is on your heart. On the days when the fight feels heaviest, Kirsten comes here. Write to her like she is reading right now — because she is.
Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
Psalm 30:2
Leave a Message for Kirsten
Your message has been added. Thank you for standing with Kirsten. 🧡
Kirsten and her family will see your words. They mean more than you know.
Messages of Love
Nēsh Doe-Benion
“God is able and he is faithful! I'm celebrating with you for the huge victory of being released!! I'm also so happy to see so many items on her wishlist like soursop and oil of oregano. Cancer picked the wrong child of God!! #KirstenStrong Will be contributing soon!”
Oscar Williams Jr.
“We are praying and supporting.”
Lorie Chew
“May God continue to bless you and your family.”
Mark Wash
“Victory over cancer in Jesus name.”
Practical Help
Resources for Families Navigating This Road
When a diagnosis like this arrives most families don't know where to look. We are building this hub and sharing every resource we find — organized so families can take action right away. If you know of a program, organization, or resource that could help please add it in the Community Knowledge section below. This page grows stronger the more we share with each other.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Select your state above to see local travel, lodging, and food resources near you.
Travel Assistance — Illinois
Corporate Angel Network (CAN)
Free flights on corporate aircraft to recognized treatment centers. Open to all patients regardless of financial need. Travel as often as needed.
Free lodging for patients in active treatment living 40+ miles from their treatment center. 64 private suites. Referral required from a medical professional.
Most major drug manufacturers — including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, AstraZeneca, and Genentech — offer free or reduced cost medications for qualifying patients. Ask MD Anderson social work team for a list specific to Kirsten's treatment protocol.
RMC Research Foundation
Comprehensive resources for Renal Medullary Carcinoma patients and families.
Connecting patients facing serious diagnoses with free or discounted fertility preservation services before treatment begins. Must be referred before treatment starts.
Patient navigators and social workers connect patients and families with programs and resources available through MD Anderson patient services upon arrival.
Free corporate flights available to all patients traveling to recognized treatment centers, not based on financial need. Register before purchasing airline tickets.
Most major drug manufacturers provide medications free or at significantly reduced cost for qualifying patients. Ask MD Anderson social work team for a list specific to the prescribed treatment protocol.
FMLA Federal Job Protection
Federal job protection for employees taking leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
A Stage 4 diagnosis may qualify for emergency Medicaid enrollment outside of standard enrollment windows. Contact your state Medicaid office for eligibility.
Insurance Denial Appeals
Free support for appealing insurance denials available through Cancer Legal Resource Center and Patient Advocate Foundation.
This hub grows stronger the more people contribute to it. If you work in healthcare, insurance, legal aid, nonprofits, social work, or faith communities — or if you have navigated a diagnosis like this — your knowledge could help a family that does not know where to turn. This is how we build something bigger than one family's fight.
Submit a Resource or Tip
Thank you. Your contribution is under review and we are grateful. 🧡
Submissions are reviewed and the best resources are featured in the Resource Hub. Thank you for helping this family.
Featured Organizations
The Chris CJ Johnson Foundation
Founded by a mother whose son was lost to RMC — dedicated to awareness and advocacy for families navigating Renal Medullary Carcinoma.
What They Cover: Peer support, RMC education, and community connection
Sources: National Cancer Institute • NORD / Dr. Pavlos Msaouel, MD Anderson • SEER Database Analysis (Journal of Surgical Research, 2023) • European Urology Oncology, 2024
< 200
Confirmed RMC cases per year in the US. Likely undercounted due to misdiagnosis. The entire SEER cancer database from 1996–2018 captured only 100 patients. Source: NCI / SEER 2023.
95%+
Of RMC cases occur in people carrying sickle cell trait or disease — yet most carriers have no awareness this risk exists. 1 in 14 Black Americans carries the sickle cell trait. Source: NORD / MD Anderson.
28 yrs
Median age at diagnosis. Half of all patients are 28 or younger. Some are as young as 9. Kirsten was 27 when her world changed. This disease targets the young. Source: SEER 2023 analysis.
> 90%
Of patients are diagnosed at Stage 3 or Stage 4 — the most advanced stages — because early-stage RMC rarely produces symptoms. Kirsten was diagnosed at Stage 4. Source: NORD • SEER 2023.
13 mo
Median overall survival from diagnosis. Fewer than 5% of patients survive beyond three years. Newer immunotherapy combinations are extending life — Kirsten is fighting with the best team in the world. Source: NCI • NORD.
83%
Of SEER-database RMC patients are Black Americans. This is a disease that disproportionately strikes young Black adults — and remains critically underdiagnosed and underfunded. Source: SEER 2023.
Media
Kirsten's Story Deserves to Be Heard Beyond Our Circle
Renal Medullary Carcinoma affects fewer than 200 Americans per year. Kirsten Wells is 27. She is one of them.
Her story sits at the intersection of four critical conversations in American healthcare right now: rare disease underdiagnosis, racial health disparities in oncology, the silent risk carried by 1 in 14 Black Americans, and the financial brutality of traveling across the country for care that does not exist at home.
83% of RMC patients are Black Americans. Most were never warned that their sickle cell trait carried this risk. Kirsten was never warned. Most patients aren’t.
Story Angles
→Health Equity: Why is RMC striking Black Americans at 83% of cases — and almost no one knows?
→Rare Disease: A diagnosis most doctors have never seen. A family that had to leave their state for care.
→Sickle Cell Trait: The silent cancer risk that 1 in 14 Black Americans carries without knowing.
→Human Interest: 27 years old. Stage 4. Unshakeable faith. A community that refuses to leave her alone.
→The Real Cost: What does Stage 4 cancer actually cost a family that does not have $98,000?
If you cover health equity, rare disease, young adult cancer, faith communities, or human interest stories of extraordinary resilience — this story is for you. We have verified statistics, a family available for interview, and a community campaign with national reach.
