Two and a half weeks before my seventh birthday, a time that is meant to be for innocence and grass stains, for laughter and sneaking cookies, I was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). A disease which causes scarring to the kidneys, damaging the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidneys where blood is cleaned.

Even though I was so young and not fully able to understand what was happening inside my body, I fought. I fought for a normal childhood, I fought to ease the tears of my family while I fought for my life. I fought my hardest for several years, unfortunately that fight was lost. An infection had ravaged my kidneys and I ultimately lost any remaining kidney function.

When the ball was dropped and the new year was brought in, I celebrated the beginning of 2001 with my first dialysis run, not knowing just how many new years would be the same.

Two weeks before my ninth birthday I received the greatest gift. I had the fortune and chance at a transplant. A selfless friend was a perfectly matched kidney. I will never forget how much her donation meant to me. Once the transplant was done I had a feeling of complete freedom, my heart swelled with possibilities, it was a surreal emotion. Unfortunately that feeling was not long enough. Just after New Years 2004, the kidney was removed and home dialysis resumed.

Here I am now. For fourteen years I’ve persevered. I have managed to hold onto a positive outlook while waiting for a breakthrough in medicine. That’s finally here. I offer those around me empathy and help those in need. I have taken every opportunity to help and humble others. Being a volunteer motivational speaker has given light to many that I’ll cherish forever.

Until now a transplant has not been a discussion. However developments have been made and I am stronger now. I am ready to give up the three times a week 8pm-4am nocturnal hemodialysis for a better quality of life. I am ready to start building plans and goals, I am ready to have a normal dating life, to go out on a Friday night with friends, to have dreams that go beyond a few months.

It is now that I ask for help in this journey to success. Pre and post transplant I will be on medications and traveling between facilities for healthcare. Both extraordinarily expensive and only some reasons for the goal. I am hoping that people will read this and offer their help lending the same empathetic hand I have always loved offering others. I know that I will survive a transplant and I know that I will beat this disease just as I have the odds! I am simply asking that you help me in this fight for success.

Thank you for your support!
-Stu