GoFundMe Launched For Waltham Resident With Rhabdomyolysis

Waltham MA

26 October, 2021

6:51 PM

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WALTHAM, MA — A GoFundMe has been created for a Waltham resident who was recently hospitalized with Rhabdomyolysis, a rare, life-threatening condition caused when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood. Kaelyn Franco, a Waltham High School graduate who was captain of the soccer and softball teams and a recent graduate of UMass Amherst, was hospitalized with Rhabdo after taking a spin class, during which she noticed weakness in her legs and experienced immense pain. "My legs could not support my body," said Franco. "I would be walking against the walls and stand against railings to go down the stairs. The next day is when everything started to hit me tenfold and it got worse and worse by the hour." Franco decided to go to Newton-Wellesley hospital the day after her spin class and later found out her condition had become life threatening due to acute compartment syndrome in her right leg. She was rushed into emergency surgery, which saved her leg and her life. "I never thought me taking a spin class would have caused all of this," said Franco. "I ended up staying in the hospital for seven days. I've done my own research about spin classes and there are so many people who have gotten Rhabdo from it." "It was really weird and scary that my life flashed before my own eyes when I was trying to better myself," she continued. Franco's recovery is a slow-paced healing process. She is still unable to walk on her own, drive, or use her right leg. According to her doctors, it could take up to a year or more to fully recover and her leg will never be the same. "I want to emphasize the spin class dangers and what's associated with it," said Franco. "Rhabdomyolysis was unknown to me and the people around me had no idea either. It's one of those things that's out there that people don't know about." "It flipped my world upside down and now I have to adapt to the changes physically and in my everyday life," she continued. "I'm not discouraging people from taking spin classes, I just want people to listen to their body and know when it's enough." As of Tuesday, community members have raised over $2,800 of the $10,000 fundraising goal. This money will contribute to Franco's medical bills, special accommodations, and time taken off from work as she focuses on recovering. To donate to Franco's fundraiser, click here.