At just 13 years old, I was diagnosed with stage two kidney disease. At the time, I was still a kid playing sports, staying active, and living what appeared to be a completely normal childhood. Because of that, most people would never have guessed I was sick. I was even known as the picky eater; however, what many didn't realize was that there was always a reason behind it. For years, my body quietly carried this battle while I continued to live, grow, and dream. On the outside, I looked healthy, but on the inside, my kidneys were slowly failing.

It wasn't until recently that my health began to significantly decline. As many of you know, 2025 was a heartbreaking year for me. I lost both of my babies and the future I believed I was building. Since then, grief is something I am learning to live with; one breath, one moment at a time. September 2025, I received life altering news once again: my kidney disease had progressed to stage five kidney failure.

Now, my days look different than they once did. The fatigue is overwhelming some days, just getting through basic tasks feels impossible. Eating has become difficult, and the pressure on my lower extremities is a constant reminder of what my body is fighting. This part is difficult to explain, because I don't look like what most people imagine when they think of someone who needs a transplant. Yet illness doesn't always show itself on the outside. In reality, my body has been fighting quietly for years and now it's asking for help.

I'm sharing my story not because it's easy, but because I still believe in hope. A kidney transplant would not only save my life; it would also give me the chance to truly live again, to dream again, to heal, and to rebuild after so much loss. If you feel called to help, please consider becoming a living kidney donor or supporting me through a financial donation. Along with the emotional and physical toll of this journey, there are medical and related expenses that will need to be paid for out of pocket, including ongoing treatments, medications, travel for care just to name a few. Even if donating isn't possible for you, sharing my story could help it reach someone who may be able to help. Sometimes, one share is all it takes to save a life. 

Above all, your kindness, prayers, and support mean more than I can ever express. During one of the hardest seasons of my life, you are helping me hold onto hope, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

To learn more about living kidney donation here: https://www.livingdonordallas.org/