Fundraiser supports local mother’s kidney donation surgery
Aubri Kouklis, a local mother of three, will undergo kidney donation surgery on Nov. 26. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe.
GoFundMe campaign has goal of $9,000
– Local mother Aubri Kouklis will undergo kidney donation surgery on Nov. 26 to help family friend, Lompoc resident Neiko Pagaling. To support her recovery, a GoFundMe page has been created, with a goal of $9,000.
“Even though grants are available to help with expenses in a situation like this, it’s just not enough to cover the reality of it,” said Kouklis’ son Austin Kahn on the page, adding that “any donations made to this will go directly to daily life essentials such as bills, groceries, [and more] as she takes the next couple months to fully recover.”
Kouklis, a clinical medical assistant instructor in Atascadero, is close friends with Pagaling’s mother. In 2021, Pagaling, 25, was placed on the kidney transplant list and started dialysis treatment; he was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease that impairs kidney function, in 2014.
“My mother, being the selfless and incredible person that she is, decided to get tested to see if she was a match,” said Kahn. “Amazingly, through all the odds, she matched.”
Kouklis has kickboxed since 2007. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Kouklis, who has three sons, has previously trained as an emergency medical technician and has worked in adult primary care and pediatrics. In addition to her medical career, she enjoys kickboxing and frequently coaches local members of the community.
As of Nov. 25, the GoFundMe page has raised $5,500 with 41 donations.
GoFundMe message
Family and Friends,Sometimes we have things happen in our lives that go down as not only memorable, but puts a whole new perspective on life. Our family has one of those moments in the making. My mom, Aubri Kouklis, is donating one of her kidneys to our family friend, Neiko Pagaling, who also happens to be the son of one of her closest friends. Neiko is 25 years old and has been on dialysis and the transplant list for the last three years and battling FSGS since he was 14. My mother, being the selfless and incredible person that she is, decided to get tested to see if she was a match. Amazingly, through all the odds, she matched! Even though grants are available to help with expenses in a situation like this, it’s just not enough to cover the reality of it. On November 26, 2024, she will give one of her kidneys in an effort to create a new life for Neiko. Any donations made to this will go directly to daily life essentials such as bills, groceries, etc. as she takes the next couple months to fully recover. Thank you and your support is very much appreciated! – Austin Kahn
To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.
