He Proposed at NKF’s Kidney Walk. Now He Hopes to Save Her Life with a Kidney Donation

Jessika and Joey didn’t let kidney failure stop them from falling in love or planning a wedding at the Kidney Walk. Here’s how their NKF community helped make it happen. 

• Diagnosed with End-Stage Kidney Disease
• Losing a Kidney Due to Insurance
• Finding Community and Falling in Love
• Two Worlds Collide
• The Best Valentine’s Day Gift
• Another Kidney Walk to Remember 

Jessika was first diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, at just 20 years old.

“I had flu-like symptoms and didn’t think much of it. Then I broke out in hives. But not normal ones. These were huge and all over my body.”

Alarmed, Jessika’s parents took her to the hospital.  

“Testing showed I had end-stage kidney disease,” Jessika said. “There was so much scar tissue on my kidneys that doctors have never been able to identify the cause.”

Although her kidney function was critically low, Jessika didn’t need dialysis yet. Her mother quickly stepped in to get tested as a living donor.

“In early 2001, my mom learned she was a match,” Jessika said. “The surgery was scheduled soon after, and we both recovered quickly.”

NKF is here to help you on your journey, whether you need a kidney or are considering donation. Learn more about transplantation and find free resources. 

Jessika’s first transplant worked well for 10 years. Then she moved to a new state and had to switch insurance plans.

“When insurance denied coverage for the immunosuppressant medication that had been keeping me healthy, the cost shot up to $7,000 a month,” said Jessika. “The alternative medication covered by my plan just wasn’t as effective.”

Within six months, her transplanted kidney failed. Jessika began working with her healthcare team to join the kidney transplant waitlist and start dialysis.

“I chose to do peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home,” Jessika said. “I successfully did that for 7 years before my access failed.”

PD cycles a special cleaning fluid through the inner lining of the belly, which acts as a natural filter.

“I tried home hemodialysis next, but the machine didn’t remove enough fluid and toxins,” said Jessika. “I’ve been on in-center hemodialysis since.”

Take our quiz to find out if home dialysis is right for you.

Losing a kidney transplant and starting dialysis was tough, but Jessika was determined to keep going.

“I wanted to meet others facing similar challenges and learn how they were coping,” Jessika said. “I also wanted to give back.”

That’s when she discovered the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

“Everyone was so kind and supportive,” Jessika said. “I started volunteering with my local NKF office in Arizona not long after starting dialysis.”

Jessika also met Joey online. They quickly became close friends and eventually fell in love.

“At first, it was casual. We didn’t see each other often, but we talked constantly,” said Joey. “Over time, we became best friends and partners.”

Joey has also become a support for Jessika in her kidney journey.  

“I do whatever I can to help,” said Joey. “I’ve learned the kidney diet, I remind her to take her medications, and I encourage her to rest. Jessika likes to stay busy, sometimes too busy.”

It’s the kind of support Jessika deeply appreciates.

“Life on dialysis is hard,” Jessika said. “He gives me the push I need to get through tough days.”

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During one of their many phone conversations, Jessica mentioned she was hosting the 2024 Phoenix Kidney Walk as the official emcee. Joey offered to come and support her.

“I had the idea to propose to her at the Kidney Walk,” said Joey. “I reached out to the NKF office to see if they would help.”

The staff loved the idea. Since the Walk was held at a baseball field, they hatched a plan to bring Jessika to the center of the field after the event, under the guise of receiving an award.

“They called her up, but I was the one waiting,” said Joey. “I got down on one knee and proposed.”

In front of the crowd, surrounded by her kidney community, Jessika happily said yes.

“It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget,” she said.

Find a Kidney Walk near you and become part of a powerful community. 

After the engagement, Joey started looking into becoming a living donor.

“Jessika wasn’t having luck on the transplant waitlist,” he said. “I decided I’d donate if I could. I started by seeing if we are a blood match.”

Around Valentine’s Day 2025, they got the news: Joey was a match.

“It was the best Valentine’s Day gift ever,” said Jessika.

But they aren’t in the clear just yet.

“I still need more testing to make sure it’s safe for me to donate,” said Joey. “Jessika also has a high anti-HLA count and needs to be approved for a therapy that can lower it.”

Anti-HLA antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to exposure to certain proteins—something that happened to Jessika during her first transplant. These antibodies make it harder to find a matching donor and increase the risk of rejection.

“If I got a transplant today, my body would reject it,” said Jessika. “But I’m not giving up. We’ll find the right treatment.” 

As the 2025 Kidney Walk approached, the Arizona NKF office had a surprise for Jessika and Joey: They offered to host their wedding at the same field where they got engaged.

“I was so honored,” said Jessika. “The staff went above and beyond for us. We couldn’t wait to get married surrounded by friends, family, and the kidney community.”

After the Kidney Walk, the couple changed into their wedding outfits and walked to home plate, where they were married.

“It was an amazing day that even made the local news,” said Joey. “Not many people get to have a wedding like that.”

Today, they’re enjoying married life and continuing their journey toward transplant.

“Dialysis is a full-time job for Jessika,” said Joey. “She deserves a life free from it. I hope I can give that to her.”