Jeremy

Hi, my name is Jeremy. I am 33 years old. A husband. A dog dad. And a dialysis patient.  I have ESRD caused by Wegener’s Granulomatosis, recently renamed GPA, an autoimmune disease that attacked and destroyed my kidneys nearly over night.

When I went into the hospital for what I thought was a cold I couldn’t shake, and they gave me the news that my bloodwork was indicative of kidney failure. I was in such shock that I didn’t think they were talking about me. Because prior to that “cold” I was rock climbing, hiking, horse back riding with my wife and suddenly I was starting emergency dialysis.

Despite the emotional and physical toll dialysis and kidney failure has taken, I’ve been more fortunate than most. I’m lucky I can still work-however, dialysis takes 9.5 hours every night, which is a burden I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

If you are like me, you’ve noticed the organ donation mission when you go to renew your driver’s license but never believed it necessary to officially sign up. After all, I had never known anyone that needed a transplant in 32 years of life.

For me, and so many others a kidney transplant means living life again. No more dialysis means being able to be away from home past 8:00 pm. More social events and more travel. Being able to be present with friends and family again. It means being able to eat at restaurants. It means no more tortuous side effects and having to watch my body decline.

*In the spring of 2023-Jeremy received his gift of life from his wife, Hannah <3