Who Am I?

Hi! My name is Ashley, and I'm searching for a very special person who might be willing to give me the greatest gift imaginable: the gift of life.

I'm a mother of three wonderful adult sons and a beautiful daughter in law, a loving partner, a bonus mom, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a dog mom, and someone who still has so many dreams, adventures, and memories left to make.

My journey with kidney disease began when I was diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacked my kidneys and eventually caused end-stage kidney disease. I've been on dialysis since August 2023, and my life has never been the same.

I currently attend hemodialysis at a center three days a week, three hours at a time, after doing Home Hemodialysis on myself for a year and a half. While I'm grateful that dialysis keeps me alive, it also means that my life revolves around treatments, medical appointments, and the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with kidney failure.

But I refuse to let kidney disease define who I am.

Over the past few years, I've worked incredibly hard to become eligible for a kidney transplant. I've gone through extensive medical testing, made major lifestyle changes, and even underwent gastric sleeve surgery to improve my health and my chances of receiving a transplant.

Recently, I completed another transplant evaluation, and the news was incredibly encouraging! My evaluation went extremely well, and I'm getting closer to being placed on the transplant waiting list. I still have a couple of medical clearances to complete, including a breast biopsy and cardiac testing, but for the first time in a long time, a life without dialysis feels within reach.

I have been told that my time already spent on dialysis will count toward my deceased donor waiting time, which means I may have an opportunity to receive a kidney sooner than I ever imagined.

However, finding a living kidney donor could give me an even greater opportunity for a successful transplant and a healthier future.

I dream of waking up without having to plan my day around a dialysis machine. I want the freedom to travel, spend time with my family, enjoy life's little moments, and simply LIVE without kidney failure controlling so much of my world.

I want to watch my children continue to grow into their own lives, make more memories with the people I love, and experience all the beautiful things that are still ahead of me.

I also want to give back. My experiences as a patient have strengthened my passion for helping others, and I'm a full time college student continuing my education in healthcare and social services so I can make a difference in the lives of people facing their own challenges.

I know that considering living kidney donation is an enormous decision, and I would never take that sacrifice lightly. The thought that someone might be willing to help me live a longer, healthier life is something I can't even begin to put into words.

For anyone concerned about the financial impact of donation, my transplant social worker has information about assistance programs that may help eligible donors with lost wages and other donation-related expenses. The transplant team can explain what financial assistance and protections may be available.

Even if you're unable to donate, simply sharing my story could help me find the person who can.

I'm not asking for a perfect life. I'm simply asking for the chance to keep living mine.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my story, for considering living kidney donation, and for helping me hold on to hope.

I want anyone reading my story to know that I am not giving up. Kidney failure may have changed my life, but it has not taken away my determination, my sense of humor, or my desire to live life to the fullest.

After more than three years on dialysis, I am closer than ever to receiving a kidney transplant. My recent transplant evaluation went extremely well, and I am completing the final medical requirements before being officially listed. I have been told that because my dialysis time counts toward my transplant waiting time, I could potentially receive a kidney much sooner than I ever imagined.

I am also searching for a living kidney donor, someone who might be willing to give me an incredible second chance at life.

One thing I want potential donors to know is that donating a kidney does not necessarily mean facing a financial burden. My transplant social worker has information about assistance programs that may help cover lost wages and other eligible donation-related expenses. Donor medical evaluation and surgery expenses are generally covered through the transplant process, subject to program and insurance rules.

You do not have to be a family member or even know me personally to consider becoming a donor. And even if you cannot donate, sharing my story could help it reach the person who can.

I have three sons I want to watch continue growing, a partner I want to grow old with, family and friends I want to make memories with, and dreams I am not finished chasing.

I am not asking for a perfect life. I am asking for the chance to keep living mine.

Whether you consider becoming a donor, share my story, or simply keep me in your thoughts, I am grateful beyond words.

Sometimes one person really can change someone's entire world. Maybe that person is you.

One kidney could change my entire world.

My Interests:

My family and friends mean absolutely everything to me. I love traveling, cooking, listening to music, attending events, and making memories with the people I love. I also enjoy volunteering, helping others, and advocating for kidney disease awareness. I'm currently attending college to further my education in healthcare and social services because helping people has always been my passion. I have a big heart, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of life left to live!

My Diagnosis:

I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by ANCA-associated vasculitis, an autoimmune disease that attacked and permanently damaged my kidneys. I have been on dialysis since August 2023, and I currently attend hemodialysis at a center 3 days a week after performing Solo Home Hemodialysis four days a week for a year and a half. Each treatment takes approximately three hours. Dialysis keeps me alive, but it also takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Despite everything, I refuse to let kidney failure define who I am. I continue to fight, stay positive, and work toward receiving the gift of a kidney transplant.

How A Kidney Transplant Will Affect My Life:

A kidney transplant would mean so much more to me than simply getting off dialysis. It would mean getting my freedom back. It would mean having more energy, being able to travel without arranging dialysis treatments, spending more quality time with my children, my partner, my family, and my friends, and enjoying life's everyday moments without being tied to a machine three days a week.

It would give me the opportunity to focus on finishing college, helping others, and building the future I've been fighting so hard for.

Most importantly, a transplant would give me hope for a longer, healthier life and the chance to make memories that kidney disease has forced me to put on hold.

I don't expect life to be perfect after a transplant, but I dream of having a life where kidney failure no longer controls my schedule and my choices.

To someone considering living kidney donation, please know that you wouldn't just be giving me a kidney. You would be giving me an incredible opportunity to reclaim my life, my independence, and my future.

My Blood Type: A

Ashley is asking for your help, as she urgently needs a kidney!

It takes an extraordinarily special person to save another person’s life!

Please consider being Ashley’s kidney donor, and give her the Gift of Life!

Please share Ashley’s story & information with all of your friends and family, and ask them to share it as well.

Listed at:

Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH

To Inquire About Living Kidney Donation for Ashley, Contact:

Maria Friday // Transplant Coordinator 614-544-4115 // MariaHelena.Friday@OhioHealth.com

All costs throughout the transplant process would be covered by Ashley’s medical insurance.