Campaign Story

Cherida and Phillip Terrill have shared three beautiful years of marriage, built on love, resilience, and unwavering hope. Just six months after their wedding, they received the joyful news that they were expecting their first child. But at their 9-week ultrasound, their world was turned upside down when Cherida was rushed to the hospital with dangerously high blood pressure.

Tragically, Cherida lost the pregnancy. The complications didn’t end there — she suffered severe internal damage, needed two emergency blood transfusions, and went into kidney failure. Cherida was diagnosed with **Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)**, a genetic condition that causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, leading to the loss of kidney function over time. She was placed on dialysis and added to the transplant waiting list.

After 18 months of grueling dialysis treatments, a miracle came — her husband, Phillip, was approved as her kidney donor. Thanks to his selfless gift, Cherida now has a second chance at life. Together, they are ready to grow their family, but they face two critical medical and financial barriers.

Because of Cherida’s condition and her two enlarged native kidneys, doctors have told her that she cannot safely carry a pregnancy to term. Additionally, because PKD is a hereditary disease, Cherida and Phillip are seeking IVF with genetic screening to ensure their future child doesn’t inherit this life threatening illness.

Unfortunately, IVF and surrogacy are not covered by insurance and come with overwhelming out-of-pocket costs. On top of ongoing medical bills from Cherida’s transplant and care, this makes the dream of parenthood feel just out of reach.

We’re asking for your help.

Your support will go directly toward IVF treatments and the cost of a surrogate giving Cherida and Phillip the chance to safely start their family and break the cycle of inherited disease. Every dollar brings them one step closer to holding a healthy baby in their arms, a dream that has been years in the making.

Thank you