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Donald received Personal Training / Physical Therapy from the foundation.

I have been a diabetic for many years, and have had many surgeries, and after each one especially the deep surgeries I couldn’t do much of anything for 2 weeks to a month. I started exercising a year and a half ago, and what a difference it has made. I do both weights and aerobic activities 3 days each week. I feel much better and it has helped my blood pressure, my sugar readings and my hemoglobin A1C.

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Tommy received a one year gym membership from the foundation.

Tommy shared with us that his goals are to gain healthy weight loss, to gain muscle mass and to increase his energy and physical abilities.

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Dwayne received a bicycle from the foundation.

Hi my name is Dwayne I have been on dialysis for five long years, It has been a long struggle but I just take it one day at a time. I hope someday in the future to be getting a transplant. But for now I would like to be more physical or in shape I would like to lose about twenty pounds. I have a bike trail at my apartment complex but I have no bike due to financial situation I can’t afford to buy one, so if there is any help to get me a bike I would greatly appreciate it.

Sandra received a gym membership from the foundation.

I had a lot of fluid retention and was having trouble breathing. I was admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Room. Tests showed kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure. In the course of a 12 day stay, I had a kidney biopsy, echocardiogram, numerous exams by many doctors and numerous blood tests. It was determined the uncontrolled diabetes caused the kidney failure. Dialysis was explained to me. The catheter was put in and I immediately started dialysis. I was 71 pounds lighter when I left the hospital. With renal / diabetic education, my life has greatly improved since October and I have lost 10 more pounds. With exercise and a good diet, I am firming up. I thank God for his mercy and grace.

Justin received a stationary bike from the foundation.

I had a kidney transplant when I was 2 ½ years old which last 18 years. I had to have a hip replacement due to the prednisone, so I have limited mobility due to that and dialysis. I am motivated more than ever to loose weight and to get a transplant and get back to a normal life. An exercise bike would help me out a lot in the exercise department and I have a dietician to help in the diet part.

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Rachel received a treadmill from the foundation.

At one point in my life I was a very healthy person. I an active, athletic and determined girl. Up until I was diagnosed I have never been in the hospital for one single thing, except for my birth of course. Suddenly one July morning in 1997, I woke up to very swollen ankles and feet. It was very unusual, my mother took me to the doctor and they referred me to a Nephrologist. The Nephrologist decided to do a biopsy of my kidneys. The biopsy showed that I had FSGS, (at the age of 17). Immediately I was started on high doses of prednisone. As a 17 year old girl, this was very difficult for me. I was told that I would have 5 to 10 years before I would need a kidney transplant. Four years later at the age of 21 I lost my kidney function. I went on hemo dialysis for about three months. Fortunately, my aunt was tested for kidney donation and matched. I received a transplant on October 31, 2001. I was very lucky to have received a kidney so fast. However, this was not the last of my problems. My disease returned to the transplanted kidney. They once again told me that my new kidney will last 5 to 10 years, depending on how aggressive the disease attacks the new kidney. Almost 6 years later I received the news from my doctor, my kidney was failing. It was functioning at 20% and was going to decrease rapidly. In June of 2007 at the age of 27 I began peritoneal dialysis. I have been on dialysis ever since and have had no luck so far with finding a kidney. I have been placed on a couple of different transplant lists and I now play the waiting game.

John received a gym membership from the foundation.

I’ve been on dialysis for 19 months, I can’t get on the transplant list until I loose 100lbs. I am trying to but I really want to do water aerobics. I come from a rough background and I finally got my life together and I want to help other people get on the right track. Everyday I regret what I did. I go to Church now and give my body, soul and mind to the Lord.

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Marvin received a stationary bike from the foundation

I would like to get a stationary bike so I am able to use it daily to build my confidence, endurance, stamina and social ability.