I Need a Kidney

Hi! I’m Nicole Leonard.

I have End-Stage Renal Disease.

i was diagnosed with kidney failure in December of 2022 due to focal segmental
glomerularsclerosis. i’ve been doing life-sustaining peritoneal dialysis every single night since
then. i experience chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting,
swelling, anuria, anemia, and lightheadedness. my kidneys are functioning at only 3%. in many
ways, my illness has put my life on hold . i no longer have the energy or strength to engage in
activities i once loved. i have been on the kidney transplant waitlist through northwestern
medicine for 2 years, but i’m facing an additional 4-6 year wait. i’m not sure that my body can
hold on that long. i am hopeful for a living kidney donation so that i can regain the vitality
needed to fully pursue my interests and goals again.




it’s hard to put into words how much this means to me, but i want to ask you—yes, you—if you would consider
becoming my living kidney donor. i know it’s a big decision, one that comes with its own considerations, but

the gift of life that a kidney donation represents is something that could change my world in ways words
cannot fully describe.



by donating a kidney, you would not just be giving me a chance to live, but also a chance to continue being there
for my family, my friends, and my community. it would allow me to keep chasing my dreams, embrace the
moments that matter most, and share more time with the people i love.

i know that making such an important decision requires a great deal of thought and courage. please know that
if you choose to consider it, i would be forever grateful—not just for the gift itself, but for the incredible
compassion and kindness that would come with it.



Will You Share Your Spare?

i’m 31 years old. i enjoy spending time
with my dog, reading, and doing arts and
crafts. i work in social services and at
my local library.




click here to begin the donation process

Why should i donate?

YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS WITH
NORTHWESTERN

NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE HAS THE HIGHEST
PERFORMING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
IN THE REGION. THE TRANSPLANT COMMITTEE
CAREFULLY REVIEWS THE HEALTH OF ALL
APPLICANTS. IF THERE IS ANY CONCERNTHAT
THE SURGERY WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT
ON YOUR HEALTH NOW OR LATER, YOU WILL
NOT BE APPROVED.

THE SURGERY IS LAPARASCOPIC

KIDNEY REMOVAL SURGERY USED TO BE
INTENSIVE, BUT NOW IT IS DONE
LAPARASCOPICALLY! THIS HAS REDUCED THE
RISK OF COMPLICATIONS AND SHORTENED
THE RECOVERY TIME

LIFE DOESN’T CHANGE AFTER
DONATION

did you know that you only need one
kidney to live? After one kidney is
donated, the remaining kidney will
grow to twice in size in order to
compensate. after a 2-4 week
recovery, you’ll be able to return to
normal physical activity and diet

YOU’LL BE A LIFESAVER!

YOU CAN FEEL PROUD OF THE FACT THAT YOU
SAVED MY LIFE. I’LL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL
AND TAKE WONDERFUL CARE OF YOUR
KIDNEY, i PROMISE!

YOU’LL BE HAPPY WITH YOUR
DECISION

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL KIDNEY
FOUNDATION, LESS THAN 1% OF LIVING
KIDNEY DONORS REGRET THEIR DECISION. IN
FACT, MOST LIVING DONORS SAY THAT IT WAS
A POSITIVELY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE.

my health insurance will pay for
your evaluation and surgery

THAT’S RIGHT! YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY
ABOUT DEDUCTIBLES OR CO-PAYS. MY
MEDICARE POLICY WILL COVER THE FULL COST
OF MY CARE, AND YOURS TOO!


COMPLETE THE LIVING DONOR
QUESTIONNAIRE AT THE FOLLOWING
LINK

WWW.NMLIVINGDONOR.ORG


YOU’LL BE ASKED ABOUT YOUR
DEMOGRAPHICS AND HEALTH
HISTORY

How do i donate?

COMPLETE A PHONE INTERVIEW
WITH A TRANSPLANT COORDINATOR.
IF YOU DON’T HEAR FROM THEM
WITHIN 1 WEEK, PLEASE CALL

(312) 695- 8900

IF THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS
DISQUALIFIERS, YOU WILL BE
INVITED TO DO VARIOUS HEALTH
TESTING. YOU’LL BE ASSIGNED A
DONOR ADVOCATE TO WALK YOU
THROUGH THIS PROCESS. COMPLETE
YOUR TESTING AND WAIT FOR THE
TRANSPLANT COMMITTE TO
APPROVE YOU FOR TRANSPLANT!

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can i contact nicole?


(815) 814-7286


nleonard529@gmail.com

OF COURSE! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME OR GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW ME BETTER

(815) 814-7286

NLEONARD529@GMAIL.COM