The first thing my girlfriend said to me when I met her May 2005 was, "I need a kidney transplant." Over the course of the next couple of months I knew why she told me that. Leslie was often tired, and couldn't take in much fluid; not to mention couldn't eat much due to her restricted diet. I worried about her often.

A couple hours after I left her house one day in July, she called me. It was 2am. She had to go to Madison, Wisconsin -- she had been called for a kidney. Knowing that she had been through this two other times didn't make me less worried. I couldn't visit her, but her mom (the donor of her first kidney) kept me updated through the surgery.

Leslie is now an MSW student and an intern at the National Kidney Foundation, healthy; attempting to make life better for kidney patients everywhere. I have seen her raise 426 new organ donors for the State of Michigan alone by throwing concerts and educating people regarding kidneys and their importance.

I have not been in Leslie's shoes, but I will do anything I can to help her. She's had a harder life than most people would believe. She is a kidney patient, but aside from her constant education of everyone, you would never know it.

Our team name is Steven's Spirit, because Steven was the man who gave my girlfriend a kidney to finally make her well - no more dialysis with needles and pain. 

I have no doubt that you will help me in the quest for better programs for the National Kidney Foundation. I have seen what kidney disease can do to someone you love - and it isn't always easy. Please donate.

This page is secure for credit cards and other information. I do not see any of the information, it is directly credited to the NKFM. The NKFM will not email you or call you. This is one thing everyone can do together to help those like Leslie with Chronic Kidney Disease. Also, the sponsorships are all tax-deductible.

Thank you,

Erich Simo

Captain - Steven's Spirit.