Uplifting lives and fostering hope every day
Our Why
The Incident
Kiya Twobulls' life took a dramatic turn in October 2021 when an evening of drinking with friends led to a life-threatening situation. Living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Kiya and her friends ran out of alcohol and turned to a bootlegger. Unknowingly, they purchased a bottle containing hand sanitizer, which Kiya consumed. This mistake nearly cost her her life.such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
The Medical Crisis
Shortly after consuming it, Kiya’s liver began to fail, and she went into severe shock.medical, or social challenges.
Life-Saving Care in Rochester, MN
She was initially flown to a hospital in North Dakota but required an immediate transfer to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as her condition deteriorated...
The Transplant
After spending 18 days in a coma with her liver functioning at only 50 percent, Kiya was placed at the top of the transplant list and received a new liver within days. Kiya's experience highlights the challenges faced by youth on the reservation and the importance of providing safe and engaging activities.
Our Situation
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the poorest in the nation, offers limited recreational opportunities for youth, with no parks or fast-food restaurants.
This lack of activities can lead young people to make risky decisions, said Robert Runnels, Kiya's stepdad. "We always thought, those are the kind of things that lead young people to drink – getting into trouble because there’s nothing to do," he said.
Our Solution
In response to Kiya's ordeal, her family launched KIYALIFE, a nonprofit organization aimed at creating recreational opportunities for Indigenous youth. In its first year, the organization raised $35,000, which funded the construction of basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts, along with a playground inspired by Kutzky Park in Rochester.