Why I walk

I walk because I have fought CKD most of my life. At the age of 2.5, I had acute kidney failure due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and some bad pizza. I was in the hospital for nearly 2 months, living off of peritoneal dialysis, falling into a coma, and not making a single drop of urine. I thankfully recovered enough to live a relatively normal childhood, but at the age of 18, I visited my first *lady doctor* before heading off to college. She told me my kidneys were functioning at 38% and I needed to see a nephrologist (kidney specialist) asap. I slowly lost function, and in 9 years, I was put on the transplant list. I waited for 4.5 years before my life saving kidney came in from a total stranger by using the paired exchange program! I am now celebrating 7 years with my transplant this September, have welcomed my donor into my family, and have been able to have my miracle baby boy 4 years after transplant! He is now a very very smart, silly, loving 2.5 year old who would have never been possible without my transplant! I have done this walk for over 12 years now, and am looking forward to many more to come!!!

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