My name is Wakiah Jones. I never thought I would be here, sharing my most painful truths and asking strangers for help.

I'm at a point where pride has to step aside so I can keep fighting for my life.

I was married for 12 years and my illness proved to be too difficult for my marriage. I found myself 35 with 3 kids and diagnosed with lupus without a home. The combined stress then hastened my illness tremendously. I lost everything during this time. My marriage, my kids and my health.

I have been fighting ever since to at least get back to where I was. I try not to burden people with my illness nor ask for help or favors. I am asking now. I truly need help.

Already dealing with lupus stress became my second disease.. My blood pressure spiked to 222/170. I suffered a stroke, multiple bouts of pneumonia, and a macular tear in my eye. My body shut down under the weight of all the stress I was enduring.

Eventually, my kidneys failed. I now undergo dialysis three times a week just to survive.

At one point, I was on the transplant list for a kidney. I lost my spot because I had no stable place to recover. I lived in unsafe shared housing where I was assaulted while hooked to a dialysis machine. I lost most of my belongings. I lived in motel rooms for two years, spending every cent I had just to keep a roof over my head.

Then came the heart failure. Hospitalized again. Lost my job. Lost my teeth. I now need hip replacement surgery and hand surgery, but I can't begin healing without a safe space to call home.

I do not want pity. I just would like a fighting chance.

I've been through hell, but I still believe in the power of love, community, and starting over. I want to be able to show my sons what strength looks like—not bitterness, not despair. Just a mother doing everything in her power to hang on.

Your donation will help me secure a safe, permanent home so I can rejoin the transplant list, rebuild my life, replace what was lost, cover transportation and medical care, and restore my health one day at a time.

Please share if you can't give. Every gesture helps me believe I still matter in this world.

Thank you for reading and caring.

Wakiah Jones

Also if you are interested in testing to see if you would be a match as a donor please contact me or Wakiak directly. Anyone with A+ or O- blood type.

Thank you for your support!

-Kandice