Jourdan's Journey to a Kidney Transplant

Hi, our names are Katie and Chloe and we are fundraising for our best friend Jourdan Gerrich (Maiden name Leonard). Jourdan is a caring, driven, wonderful mother who has been struggling with kidney transplant rejection over the last 2 years.

When Jourdan was in 10th grade, she was diagnosed with Lupus disease. Jourdan bravely battelled her Lupus diseases in 10th grade and eventually needed a kidney transplant due to kidney failure. She received a kidney transplant from her father and got to start her fulfilling life as a young adult. Jourdan always worked a full-time job putting in extra time to help her coworkers and company. She was relied on and praised for her hard work and dedication to her job. Jourdan eventually got married and had a beautiful daughter Yara. Her lupus diagnosis and transplant seemed like a distant memory. Although she always had to take her medications (antirejection medications) we thought the worst days were behind her.

A few years ago, Jourdan started noticing a few changes in her health. She started suffering from headaches, fatigue, nausea, weakness, and changes in her lab work. To Jourdan’s shock the news was given to her that her kidney transplant was in rejection. Jourdan was devastated. She tried desperately to do everything possible to avoid going onto hemodialysis but eventually she had to have a dialysis catheter placed and being treatment. Jourdan now goes to dialysis three days a week to help filter toxins out of her blood.

Jourdan’s job was still financially suffering from the effects of covid shut downs; She had a rambunctious 2-year-old (now 4-year-old) at home; and she was now in full blown kidney failure…again. Although many people are able to work on dialysis, over the last 2 years Jourdan’s body has struggled to acclimate to her lupus flair and kidney failure. Jourdan has been in and out of the hospital monthly due to infections, complications, and side effects of her kidney failure. She has not been able to work full time since October of 2022. Jourdan has been a strong independent financially responsible adult her entire life, so the idea of starting a fundraiser terrified her. However due to compounding medical bills and the inability to work full time she finally allowed me to tell her story! I know many of you don’t know Jourdan but believe me when I tell you she is one of the most wonderful people on the planet. She would give the clothes off her back to someone in need. She is the mother, daughter, and friend that people wish for.

So, I am here hoping and wishing we can help her now. If your able to, I am asking two things. I would like to be able to immediately relieve some of the financial burdens Jourdan is facing. Any donation amount would be greatly and truly appreciated.

Secondly, Jourdan is in need of a Kidney. Her donor needs to have an O blood type. If you have any interest in testing to see if you could be Jourdan’s match it would mean the world to her. She is currently registered with UPMC’s living donor program. If you are interested, please list her full name “Jourdan Gerrich” at the website below. If you are unsure of your blood type your PCP may know or you can order blood type testing kits on amazon. You can register for testing at https://livingdonorreg.upmc.com

I truly thank you for reading Jourdan’s story. She is a wonderful caring person who needs community right now. We apricate any and everything! Even if that’s just sharing this fundraiser to spread the word!