Allexa Leece

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

Living Kidney Donor Needed

My name is Allexa Leece, and I am 23 years old. I have always been a very active and adventurous person. I love sports and played basketball and soccer throughout my grade school years and I continued playing soccer while in college. I love running, working out, kayaking, and riding my bike. After I graduated college, I decided to serve my community by becoming a firefighter. I went through Emergency Medical Technician school and then entered the Fire Academy. While attending Fire Academy I also worked for a private ambulance company. I was given the “Bulldog” award during Fire Academy for my hardworking, never give up attitude. After graduation I was hired as a full-time firefighter!

I was working so hard toward accomplishing my goals that I did not realize my kidneys were failing. I had many symptoms that I did not realize added up to anything. I kept plugging away, pushing through the pain and debilitating exhaustion. All the while telling myself it was okay, I just needed to work harder! One day, while working my 24 hour shift I began to develop a terrible headache and became very ill. My shift companions took my blood pressure and within hours I was in the hospital emergency room. I have never seen so many doctors in one room! After numerous pokes and a kidney biopsy I was given the devastating news that I was in kidney failure and needed a transplant! My shock and devastation were overwhelming.

After a week in intensive care I was sent home and the next day learned about dialysis. Instead of my life beginning at 22, I felt like it was very suddenly over! Instead of continuing my dream as a firefighter, I was exhausted and still in great pain. I was living a life that was not the one I had dreamed of and had worked so hard for. Instead of advancing in my career, moving out on my own, traveling, and living the best life I had created for myself, I was bound to my failing kidney and dialysis.

I now need a new kidney to continue with my dream and that is out of my hands. It’s not something I can work hard to achieve on my own. It is not easy to ask for such a gift from someone, much less a stranger, but I am asking. I would be grateful if you could help me find a match by getting tested or sharing this information with your own network of friends, family and community.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story!

Allexa

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