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Kidney 4 Ashley

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I received my kidney transplant September 28, 2016 because of my selfless friend willing to donate into the UCLA Paired Exchange Program. I was matched with a woman in Colorado who was donating so her brother could receive a transplant. Our chain helped 11 people get life saving Kidneys across 5 states.


I now have someone who is willing to donate a kidney, but she is not a match for me so we are both listed in the UCLA Paired Exchange Program. This program basically matches us with someone else who needs a kidney transplant who has a donor that is not a match for them. In order for this to work my donor needs to be a match for them and their donor needs to be a match for me.

Our tissue and blood type has already brought a lot of matches but for whatever reason they have not made it to the final phase.

I recently had to have minor surgery and a blood transfusion so after UCLA receives an updated blood sample (end of April) I will once again be listed as active in the Paired Exchange Program so find a donor match.

Even though I have a donor, there are still 100,000+ people on the waitlist for a kidney.

If you or someone you know is interested in being considered as a potetial donor, the first step is to read the donor information form to see what is considered when looking at potential donors.

Living Donation Information
http://www.kidneyregistry.org/living_donors.php?cookie=1

Kidney Health and Transplant Information
National Kidney Foundation
www.kidney.org




You can still help me and others by doing the following:

1. Sharing my Campaign 

-Twitter: @Kidney4Ashley
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kidney4Ashley
-www.gofundme.com/Kidney4Ashley

2. Registering as an organ donor 
http://www.organdonor.gov/becomingdonor/

3. Consider being a Living Kidney Donor


My health history:

I was diagnosed with Lupus and kidney failure when I was 11 years old. As a result, I was placed on kidney dialysis and had to endure 3 hour sessions of treatment 3 times a week . I went through junior high school having to leave school early two days a week to go to dialysis, coming home completely drained and still having to complete my homework etc. Since my kidney function showed no improvements after 2 years on dialysis, my mom made the brave decision to donate one of her kidneys to me in 1999. I didn't realize it at the time, but this was the most amazing gift anyone could ever give me. It allowed me to complete high school as a 'normal' teenager and continue my dream of becoming a teacher. After completing my undergrad at Santa Barbara City College and Univeristy of Santa Barbara at California, I recieved my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from Antioch University in Santa Barbara and soon began my work as a classroom teacher. I will also say that my mom is as healthy as ever today and doing great!

I was able to teach for six years, but not without its struggles. Since Lupus is an autoimmune disorder and having a transplant and taking anti-rejection drugs makes you more likely to get sick, I was often not well. It made the daily routine of teaching more challenging, but I kept at it.

In 2011 I contracted H1N1 (swine flu) and pneumonia. I was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and during this process my lung collapsed and my organs began to fail. I was placed in a medical induced coma and on dialysis to help keep me alive. After a month, I woke up from the coma and continued to receive treatment in the hospital. I had to learn how to walk, speak and even eat again as my muscle memory and strength was completely depleated. It was the most difficult thing I have ever been through. Whenever I am faced with struggles in my life, I remind myself that I am a fighter. If I can make it through that, there is nothing I can't accomplish.

I am an extremely motivated individul and a fighter through and through. I try to be a very independent person and I sometimes hesitate to ask others for help, but I know that I can't do this on my own. I need the support of my family, friends, community and beyond to share my story and my need for a living kidney donor.

So I ask you, please help me on this journey.


My Passion:

 I knew at an early age that I wanted to help others in my community. Towards the end of my high school education I had my mind set on becoming a teacher where I knew I could make a difference in people's lives. 

I was very fortunate to work six years as an educator both in Santa Barbara Unified School District and Goleta Union School District. I helped support student learning in grades 1st through 8th and I absolutely loved every minute of it. Through my teaching experience I discovered my passion for connecting with children and teaching them in a way that encouraged them to discover their own passions in life.

Unfortuntately, in January of 2014 I had to make the extremely difficult decision to leave my classroom teaching position behind to focus more on my health. Continually getting sick, wasn't fair to myself, my students or the school staff. Since then, it has been my mission to find a career where I am making a difference in my community while still being able to take care of myself. I am determined to find a job that not only fuels my passion for helping others but truly makes a lasting impact on my community in Santa Barbara. 

I was fortunate enough to work for a couple of great businesses/organizations temporarily since I left the classroom and now really understand what it is I want in my life. I also met some amazingly supportive people while at those jobs, for which I am very grateful.

As of February 27th 2015 I have been without a job, but with my current need for a kidney transplant, I am using my time to help spread the word of Living Kidney Donation to not only find myself a donor, but help others as well. There are far too many people waiting for kidney translants, and many deaths each day as a result of Chronic Kidney Disease.

I have always said that my passion lies in education and teaching in the classroom. However, this experience has ignited a different kind of passion in me. I am determined to help educate people about chronic kidney disease and living kidney donation. #outliveyourself
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Donations 

  • Suzanne Elledge
    • $100 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

Ashley Somics
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA

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