I have been a cheerleader, dancer, and performer since I made the varsity cheerleading squad in 1995. I have always loved being active and using my energy to motivate, inspire, and cheer for others. I have been a youth cheer coach and dance team choreographer and I participated in a dance team in college. I’ve … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Shawni!
I’m not a very superstitious person or one that really believes everything happens for a reason, but every once in a while it just feels like things are falling into the place they belong. One evening around Halloween in 2018, my husband and I were living with my brother and his girlfriend while our new … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Ashlie!
I was overweight and lived an unhealthy lifestyle throughout most of my adult years. In 2013, after hearing that my sister, Mae, was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, I decided it was time to make a change. Results from my first diet attempts were mixed, a series of trial and error while discovering what … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Dennis!
What brings me here are the three most important things I’ve done in my life: I married Amy, a sweet, honest, curious, clever and adorable woman, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for a long time. We adopted Holly, the funniest human being I have ever known when she was 3 months old. She’s … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Jason!
My name is Shayna, and I’m a powerlifter turned 1-kidneyed CrossFitter! My journey to donation started when my 24-year old brother-in-law became sick several winters prior. After a month of testing and hospitalizations, he was put on dialysis and added to the transplant list after learning his kidneys had completely shut down from an unknown … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Shayna!
I was so excited to get that call… I remember when I called my mother who was in Florida (where she lives), telling her that I agreed to move forward… her words to me “Are you sure”... I couldn’t have been any more certain of that. When you see someone go through a medical condition … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Jenn!
In 2009, at 247lbs, I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life and although exercise had been a part of my life in the past, it was never something I could quite get to stick. I was overweight and overwhelmed. I’m not even sure I realized it but I was waiting for … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Jen!
My son was diagnosed with Alport syndrome in the fall of 1999. This is a genetic condition characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities. People with Alport syndrome experience progressive loss of kidney function. He asked if I would be willing to get tested (it was much less rigorous back then!) and we … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, John!
It’s taken the drive home today and a little perspective to put into words what went down this past weekend in Golden, British Columbia. I was committed to taking on a challenge in my 40th year and the Golden Ultra “Half Pint” turned out to be the perfect one. I initially thought I’d do a … Continue reading Race Report From Kidney Donor Athlete, Shawna!
I was born and raised in New York City and my passions have always been learning and sports, so it was probably inevitable that I became a researcher-professor and have been a life-long runner. My chosen discipline is genomics, basically looking at all one’s genes and how they interact with one’s environment to make us … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Corey!
