SUPPORT TAJZE JOHNSON
About Tajze
My name is Tajze Johnson, and I’m excited to share that I received my kidney transplant on July 13, 2024, at 4:00 PM!
For those who may not know, I was diagnosed with kidney disease at birth. Growing up in Rochester, NY, I was largely unaware of the severity of my condition. I enjoyed a typical childhood, participating in sports and spending time with friends, while regular doctor visits and ultrasounds were a part of my routine.
As I entered my young adult years, I continued to work hard and pursue my goals despite developing symptoms of kidney disease, including protein in my urine, high blood pressure, swelling, and fatigue. In December 2019, I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, which meant I would need dialysis or a transplant in the near future. I managed to delay starting dialysis for about six months, during which I was commuting 5 hours each way to attend occupational therapy assistant school in Blacksburg, VA, all while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I graduated in May 2021. I’m also excited to share that I recently graduated from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Methodist University in May 2024.
Receiving this kidney has been life-changing, and I am incredibly grateful. The journey of managing school, medical appointments, work, and nightly dialysis treatments was challenging, but the support from my family, friends, and my faith in God carried me through.
While I am thankful for my new kidney, the journey is far from over. I encourage anyone interested in becoming a living donor to consider getting evaluated. Your generosity could make a profound difference in someone’s life. For more information, please check out the applications on the right side of this page.
Additionally, transplants and the lifelong medications required can be costly. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
Living Donor Applications
Did you know?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious and life-threatening illness that impacts more than 37 million adults in the United States. Unfortunately, as many as 90% do not know they have the disease.1 CKD disproportionately impacts Black adults, with 16% of the demographic with the illness, compared to 13% of White adults.1 While Blacks are more likely to need a kidney transplant, they are less likely to get one.
Data from 2013 showed that Blacks waited almost two years longer than Whites for transplants. And a year longer than the overall average (~4 years).2
In 2020, there were 390 Black living organ donors, compared to 4,129 White living organ donors.3 About 16% of kidney transplants in Black patients were from living donors.4 33% of transplants in White patients were from living donors.4
Footnotes:
1. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2021. Published August 2, 2022. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/ckd-national-facts.html
2. Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease
3. Farouk S. Reenvisioning the Kidney Donor Risk Index without Race. Kidney News. 2022;14(1):9-10.
4. Organ Donation and African Americans - The Office of Minority Health. Accessed November 29, 2022. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=27