Zachary R Jenkins

My name is Zachary Jenkins. I have been diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease and am currently on dialysis and am in need of a transplant. 

In late 2019 I started to feel sick. I went in for testing to find I had the nerves of an 80 year old and a B12 deficiency. A few months later the COVID pandemic lockdown of 2020 hit and the world and hospitals shut down while I did, too. For the next year my days were spent mostly in bed and unable to stand for long periods of time. In the summer of 2022 I went in for a biopsy and was told that what I’d experienced was IgA Nephropathy and it had run its course and left my kidneys damaged. 

With the help of my doctor, medication, and diet changes I was able to remain stable and out of immediate danger of needing to be put on dialysis or receive a transplant. 

Fast forward to Spring of 2025 and my labs were not looking good and was told to start the process of getting a kidney transplant – testing, getting on the list. I was hoping to receive a kidney before I would truly need a transplant and skip dialysis entirely, but a month later I was told to plan on starting peritoneal dialysis soon. Unfortunately my kidneys couldn’t wait for that schedule and in fall of 2025 I was admitted into the hospital for emergency dialysis.  

For five days I underwent dialysis through my neck and the peritoneal surgery was done while I was there. On discharge I was admitted to a local clinic where I was trained how to receive dialysis at home. At home I undergo dialysis for 9-hours a day, every day.

This has not been easy, so much of my life has had to change to accommodate for my health.

I live with my wife Krista in our first home and I’m a contracted web developer. When I’m not working I’m performing Improv in various troupes and voice over, auditioning and taking classes in both. Laughter is the best medicine in my life, but it can’t heal this. If I can receive a live donor kidney transplant I’ll be able to resume life and pursue my dreams.

For kidney donor information, please visit: https://www.bswhealth.com/specialties/transplant/living-donation/living-kidney-donor or https://livingdonordallas.org/