Community Rallies to Support 3-Month-Old Battling Rare Kidney Disease

Benefit aims to help family cover costly medical expenses for Braxton Tomko's daily dialysis and future transplant

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:04pm

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Three-and-a-half-month-old Braxton Tomko was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease before birth, requiring daily dialysis and multiple surgeries to stay alive. His family in Springfield, Illinois is hosting a community benefit to help cover the overwhelming medical costs not fully covered by insurance, until Braxton can qualify for a kidney transplant at age 2.

Why it matters

Polycystic kidney disease is a rare and life-threatening condition that affects infants, and the Tomko family is facing immense financial strain to provide Braxton the lifesaving care he needs. The community benefit aims to rally support and raise funds to ease this burden, giving Braxton a chance at a healthy future.

The details

Braxton was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at 20 weeks in utero, when doctors discovered he was not producing amniotic fluid and his kidneys were not functioning. Despite only having an 80% chance to survive birth and 30% chance to leave the NICU, Braxton has undergone seven surgeries and is now home, requiring daily dialysis and weekly trips to St. Louis for testing. His family receives 1,200 pounds of medical supplies monthly to keep him alive until he can receive a kidney transplant at age 2.

  • Braxton Tomko was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at 20 weeks in utero.
  • Braxton was born 3.5 months ago and has already undergone 7 surgeries.
  • The community benefit for Braxton is scheduled for this Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 3pm to 7pm.

The players

Braxton Tomko

A 3.5-month-old infant born with polycystic kidney disease, requiring daily dialysis and multiple surgeries to stay alive until he can receive a kidney transplant at age 2.

Emily Chitwood

Braxton's mother, who was devastated by his diagnosis before birth but has seen him defy the odds so far.

Melissa Chitwood

Braxton's grandmother, who is helping organize a community benefit to raise funds for his mounting medical expenses.

Weldon United Methodist Church

The local church in Springfield, Illinois that is partnering with Braxton's family to host the community benefit event.

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What they’re saying

“We actually found out at 20 weeks that I didn't make amniotic fluid and that his kidneys didn't work.”

— Emily Chitwood, Braxton's mother

“It just basically gave him an 80% chance to breathe, giving him like that chance for giving us that fluid through the placenta. And then, it also gave him a 30% chance to make it out of the NICU.”

— Emily Chitwood, Braxton's mother

“We've kind of decided that he's just a little fighter.”

— Emily Chitwood, Braxton's mother

“His medical supplies that came, came in a box truck on pallets.”

— Melissa Chitwood, Braxton's grandmother

“We're doing something to help with expenses because insurance doesn't cover everything.”

— Melissa Chitwood, Braxton's grandmother

What’s next

The community benefit for Braxton is scheduled for this Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 3pm to 7pm at Barnyard Treasures in De Land, Illinois. The event will feature a cornhole tournament, silent auction, and other activities to raise funds for Braxton's ongoing medical care.

The takeaway

Despite the overwhelming odds, the Tomko family's resilience and the outpouring of community support are giving 3-month-old Braxton a fighting chance at life. This benefit aims to ease the immense financial burden so the family can focus on Braxton's recovery and eventual kidney transplant.