Josiah was born on January 19, 2024, with Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS), a rare condition affecting 1 in 40,000 births, as well as stage 5 kidney failure (end-stage renal disease – ESRD). On the day he was born, he underwent his first life-saving surgery followed by a week in the NICU. Now nearly two years old, Josiah has endured regular blood work, numerous diagnostic tests, five surgical procedures, and multiple hospitalizations. His daily care is intensive, requiring round-the-clock attention and numerous medications to sustain his health.

In March 2025, Josiah’s ESRD progressed to a point where his native kidneys could no longer support his continued health and development. He now undergoes 10 hours of dialysis every night. Because of this, Josiah now needs a kidney transplant. By the grace of God, his mother, Megan, is a compatible kidney donor and plans to donate her kidney this year. This transplant surgery means for a few weeks Josiah's dad, Ben, will be taking time off work to be the main caregiver for both Josiah and Megan as they both recover at the same time.

Post-transplant, Josiah will require lifelong medications and multiple future surgeries, likely to include additional kidney transplants. Along with the transplant, often when kids with Prune Belly Syndrome come of age, they struggle to maintain proper care for themselves as health insurance and government support end at age 26 and 18 respectively. A badly timed period of unemployment causing the loss of health care can be the difference in maintaining the vital medication schedule necessary to preserve a transplanted kidney, or a rejected organ and an unknown time on hemodialysis. Your support will help provide Josiah with the medical care and resources he needs for a brighter future.