I never knew how much the “Share Your Spare” panel I attended on May 2019 at the university where I work would change my life. I had two acquaintances who had previously done direct kidney donations, which got me curious, but it wasn’t until I listened to the stories of the donors and recipients on the panel that really lit something inside … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Maranda!
My name is Jessica and I am a roller derby player also working on long distance running and I donated a kidney to my partner, Jon, in December 2019 during my university winter break. I hadn’t planned to spend my winter holidays in the hospital, I was originally supposed to donate in July that same … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Jessica!
My name is Jameson and I gave half of my liver to a brother in Christ, a friend, and coworker in November 2015. The road to donation was quite the unexpected journey. What sustained me through the challenge was a conviction that God had invited me to the opportunity and was with me as I … Continue reading Meet Our FIRST Liver Donor Athlete, Jameson!
Hello, my name is Danny Ledesma and I donated my spare kidney through the paired-exchanged program at UC Health in Denver, Colorado on October 10, 2018. Shortly after my Grandfather's retirement (I refer to him hereafter as "Pop"), his health began to rapidly decline, and doctors advised he was experiencing renal failure which would require … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Danny!
I’ve always been that girl who played just about every sport that was available to her. When I was little my days were spent on either softball fields or volleyball courts. As I got older, I turned to activities like karate, pilates, and running. I am now the owner of RunFit MKE, a studio in … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Karen!
Before I decided to donate my spare, I played hockey 5 days a week, ran at least 1 half marathon a quarter, and played softball every Sunday. I have always been an athlete and I never wanted to change my lifestyle. October 2017, I saw a post in one of my Christian running groups on … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Brandie!
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!
It all began after a run. I often “ran” into my aunt and uncle because they lived above me in our Chicago apartment building, but this time I wasn’t greeted with a very happy, “hello”. Panting and gassed, I tried my best to gather the information they relayed to me. “Did you hear about Liz?” … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Amy!
I never thought much about kidneys or organ donation. In fact, It was completely off my radar until we realized that my husband might have a gene mutation that inevitably leads to kidney disease. Nate, my husband, had two uncles with kidney disease who received transplants from their siblings. It was believed that only men … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Amy!
Leah's bio Leah Stewart, from Christchurch, New Zealand, is passionate about social change, disability advocacy, humanity, nature, and adventures. Leah is a keen mountain biker - in both cross country and downhill. Leah also enjoys trail running, hiking, kayaking and plays football for her local club. A Bachelor of Communication Studies graduate, Leah majored … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Leah!
