Hi, my name is Lianna Treitler, and I would love if you could help me raise money for lupus patients and kidney transplant candidates for my 25th birthday!!!

I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus the summer after my sophomore year of college. What began as fatigue and a few routine doctor visits quickly turned into something much more serious. Lupus—a chronic autoimmune disease—slowly began attacking multiple parts of my body. Over time, it led to lupus nephritis, where my immune system began damaging my kidneys.

Years of treatments, medications, and hospital visits followed as I did everything I could to preserve my kidney function. Despite those efforts, my condition progressed to kidney failure, and I ultimately needed a kidney transplant to survive. My dad (& my hero!!!!) donated his kidney to me through the National Kidney Registry voucher program in August 2024 and I got my transplant in April 2025. Because of my dad, and so many other brave donors, I was able to have my surgery right when I needed it without starting dialysis.

Receiving a transplant was life-saving and would not have been possible without my incredible family, friends and care team. I am also deeply aware that not everyone is as fortunate. In the United States, lupus disproportionately affects women of color, who are 2–3 times more likely to develop the disease and often face greater barriers to accessing the care they need. In 2025, there were 90,000-100,000 people active on the kidney transplant waitlist. The reality is that many people do not have access to the treatments, medications, or transplants that saved my life.

That is why this cause means so much to me. I am raising funds to support lupus patient and kidney disease candidate quality of life and to help expand access to life-saving care for those who need it most. Everyone deserves the chance I was given—the chance to heal, to keep going, and to live a full life.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your support, and for being part of this journey with me!!!!!!!!!