Kidney4Juanita

In June 1996 at age 18 Juanita was diagnosed with Lupus.

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

In 1998 after giving birth to her son, Sheratan, Juanita suffered severe kidney damage. Today at age 36 her kidneys are only functioning at 25% and she will have to go on dialysis and require a kidney transplant.

She is being placed on the National Kidney Donor list through Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. However, she is seeking a living donor as it could be years before she receives a kidney from the National list. Funds are needed to pay medical expenses for the transplant procedure.