Hi, I'm Lexie. I'm a rising Junior in college, living with my mother and younger sister in

Florida. Seven months ago my mother was diagnosed with kidney failure, and placed on

dialysis. She's persevering and is even close to receiving a kidney transplant, but the medical

bills have been significant. And now, in May, my father committed suicide.

We all still want me to finish my degree, but we’re struggling. Even with financial aid it doesn't cover the full cost, and my father was the only one who qualified to co-sign student loans for me. My mother’s the hardest working person I know, and has continued to work as a real estate appraiser even while managing dialysis appointments, a transition to home dialysis, and searching for a kidney donor. My younger sister is a talented artist and has been doing

character-drawing commissions to contribute toward my goal.

During the school year I also work a job as retail worker, with a summer job as a camp counselor.

I’m majoring in environmental studies so that I can become an environmental sciences teacher (which will pay back the student loans my father was co-signing for) and ultimately pursue a career in the National Park Service.

More About Me

I love the outdoors, art, music, my dog (Mercury), and playing D&D with my

friends.

During my senior year of high school I suffered acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and went through months of physical therapy to recover, but still was able to graduate with a 4.0+ GPA and earn a Superintendent’s Scholar medal. If I can finish college I’ll be the first in my family to do so.