Jessie's was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease at just 17 right before sitting her Leaving Certificate. Despite her health challenges she completed her exams before starting dialysis treatment. She received a successful transplant in 2015, but her resilience was tested again in 2022 when an acute kidney injury placed her back on the transplant list. She received her second life-changing transplant in 2023. Now celebrating her renewed health, Jessie is honouring her organ donor by running in the VHI Women's Mini Marathon.
I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease when I was 17 (2012), after many years of missing school due to illness. The diagnosis was a heavy blow to me but particularly to my parents – however, I was glad to finally have an answer as to why I was always unwell as a child. After getting some hospital records and professional opinions, it was determined that due to my complicated birth there was damage sustained to the kidneys that never recovered.
In 2013 I completed my Leaving Cert, just before going on dialysis. I completed a QQI course between my dialysis sessions and graduated with a distinction.
In June 2015, during a lovely heatwave, I got a call for a transplant. I was in hospital for 3 weeks, and that September I started my BSc in Multimedia in DCU.
Fast forward 7 years to 2022, and due to an unexpected miscarriage, my kidney suffered an acute injury that regretfully could not be managed. I very quickly declined in health and had to go on dialysis again, this time at home.
I was officially placed on the list in April 2023, and 3 weeks later within the same month, I got a call for the transplant. I couldn’t believe it, and it was an incredibly emotional moment. That same day only a few hours before I got the call, my doctor was letting me know of the sobering news that I would likely be on the list for about 4 years, which was a heavy blow. I couldn’t fathom being on dialysis for that long. However, after that day I fully believe in miracles! I am running in the Marathon mainly to honour the fact that I can, I have the physical ability (almost), and to honour the donor families that have helped me along the way.
