In 2006, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and end-stage renal Failure.  Although my first flare was in 1999, after the birth of my daughter.  By 2011, I would land in dialysis needing a kidney transplant, which would take nearly seven more years to get.  Finally, in 2018, I received a kidney transplant at Rochester University Hospital, which changed my life.  Lupus took my kidneys, which landed me on dialysis.  Dialysis gave me hypertension, and hypertension took the center of my vision. I have had many brushes with death related to my diagnosis, but I am still here.

With the mortality rate on dialysis at seven (7) years being so low, I know I am a walking miracle.  So, I decided I wouldn't allow my second chance at life to be in vain.  I am very grateful to God, my donor's family, and the National Kidney Foundation for giving me an opportunity to use my voice and my story to try to impact legislation positively.  It is important to me that we work to prevent people from dealing with so many of the obstacles and barriers to the proper help and treatment that I endured over the years.  There are so many wonderful things that this organization has done to help the kidney community, and I am proud to now be a part of the movement.

I recently accepted the National Kidney Foundation’s invitation to participate in their Annual Kidney Patient Summit for the second time in Washington, DC, and I am raising funds to help NKF offset costs.

On March 17-18, 2025, Kidney Advocates like me will come together in our nation’s capital to educate lawmakers about kidney disease and to promote legislation to increase organ donation, expand access to home dialysis, and support increased federal funding for kidney disease research and other programs.

One in three American adults is at risk for CKD. Your donation is essential to helping us make a positive impact on kidney patients, family members, and living donors as we meet face-to-face with Members of Congress and their staff.  

You can make your tax-deductible donation right now online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message.  NKF’s annual Kidney Patient Summit is crucial to our advocacy efforts. Any amount, big or small, helps in the fight. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.  You can also follow me @jaexpressed on FB and Instagram.  

What we can do TOGETHER is limitless, and it matters. Lets start HERE.

Many Blessings!