And the winner is ... Jenna Smith
Jenna's story:
The Lightness of Hope
One winter morning in 1994, I walked into my daughter, Jenna's room to find the window open, snow coming through the window and drifted on the floor. My eye was drawn upward to a big paper candle pasted to Jenna's window. Gently shutting the window,I noticed the note taped to the wall. It read, Dear Angels, "I left my window open so you could come in and heal me, if that's ok. I need surgery for a new dialysis catheter and would really rather not have it. Love, Jenna, age 7" Jenna is now 21 years old and still dialyzes every day after MPGN type 2 or Dense Deposit Disease destroyed her kidneys. For 14 years she has never felt sorry for herself or lost hope that a treatment will be found. But she also has actively fought to find that treatment. Pushed forward by our daughter's resiliency, courage and positive attitude we created Kidneeds a research foundation in 1997. Jenna started two businesses before the age of 14 yrs that have raised over $25,000 for Kidneeds. She talks with other DDD patients who need someone to be there with them. Currently she is the MidWest patient advocate for Network 9. Despite being on daily dialysis this summer Jenna volunteered for a week in South Dakota doing construction, hiked on the Appalachian Trail, worked and took an engineering class. Currently getting double degrees in engineering and Art, Jenna remains an inspiration to all who know her. Her candle burns brightly.
Look out for a feature and interview on Jenna soon on DaVita.com.
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