My name is Jessica, I'm from Cheektowaga NY and I'm 22 years old.  I am currently a senior at Medaille College, finishing up my bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, I already have an associate’s degree in veterinary technology and I am due to graduate this coming year with my bachelor’s. Someday I would like to work as an exotic animal vet tech, possibly in a zoo or refuge, but only time will tell if my dream of doing that will come true.  With someone’s help I could reach that dream, will you be that someone?

I have been battling kidney disease since I was 11months to a year of age. I received my first kidney transplant in 1999, but 9 days later, I rejected my kidney due to a disease called Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). I was then taken off of the donor list, and now am being "worked up" for a kidney transplant after waiting 10 years.

The transplant surgeon even suggested that I have a live donor, in order for the treatments to work properly, that it would be even more beneficial. So, I come here today to get my word out there.

Besides going to school full time, and going to dialysis 3 days a week; MWF, I still manage to work a part time job at a dog daycare, called the Dog Days of Buffalo, I also take dance classes-mainly tap and modern depending on which classes and days they are offered. I also find time to hang with friends; going to movies, going to the mall, anything that a typical 21 year old does (don't worry I don't go out partying a lot-don't drink a lot either). I even drive a car.

Even though I have been on dialysis for a count of almost 21 years, I have led a fulfilling life, but it would be even more fulfilling if I had a chance to have a normal life off of a life saving machine. I don't date, because of my schedule revolving around dialysis and school.

With coping with kidney disease, I tend to rely on my church. I attend a Roman Catholic church, where I also altar serve.

Organizations that I belong to are the National Kidney Foundation, Renal Support Network (RSN) the Foundation for Children with Atypical HUS and several others.  I’m also the patient representative of my dialysis unit for the End-Stage Renal Network.

All in all I have been able to live an as normal lifestyle while being on dialysis, it would be even more “normal” if I could have a chance off of the dialysis machine, and get to experience what life is like without having to go to a dialysis unit 3 days a week for 3 hours.  I never even had a chance to participate in the transplant games ever, because I’ve always been on dialysis and would like to gain a chance to participate in the transplant games.

My blood type is A+ and I am being worked up at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore Maryland.