When America Leyva was 10 years old, she had renal failure and began dialysis immediately. After almost two years of dialysis, America was given the gift of a life – a new kidney. Now at age 15, America has a wonderful outlook on her transplantation experience and life, “...now I realize that my kidney transplant changed my whole life for the best,” she wrote in her contest-winning essay.

America's Story

My heart was pounding, my 10-year-old heart was racing. I felt my knees give out when my doctor told me that I had gone into renal failure and that I would have to start dialysis. Even though I did not understand what this meant, my mom's tears and look of desperation caused a sudden panic in the pit of my stomach.

My name is America Leyva and my entire life changed in 2001. I went through a lot of trauma dealing with school, doctor visits, and coping with a new life that I did not want, but now I realize that my kidney transplant changed my whole life for the best.

My transplant enabled me to meet four wonderful people. My donor family and I share a very special connection. They gave me the gift of life, and there is nothing more special than that. My donor was only twelve years old, and he died in a skiing accident. I was also twelve years old at the time of my transplant, and I feel that Blane and I were soul mates. We had lots of things in common. We were both part of an enrichment program at our schools, we were both positive outgoing individuals, and we made friends very easily. The first few months after my transplant, I used to cry myself to sleep at night because I thought that I was responsible for Blane's death. I couldn't live with myself. Now two years after my transplant, I realize that God knows when he needs you in heaven, and Blane is my angel.

My transplant also helped me gain confidence in myself and my faith in God. When I got diagnosed, I had a rough time getting adjusted to my new middle school. Because I was at dialysis, I lost all of my friends. My confidence disappeared and I became very lonely. It was painful to be rejected by my peers at school. I could no longer to things that "normal" girls my age could like go swimming and eat chocolate. Not to mention all of the weight that I lost. I was 5'7", and I only weighed 88 lbs. Girls at school would tell me how lucky I was to be a size 3 in jeans, but it was awful.

After the most dangerous battle of my life and after my kidney transplant, I got the courage to run for President of my freshmen class. Even though there was a lot of talk from my competitors saying that I had only won because people felt pity for me, I also got a lot of positive feedback congratulating me for being a good president at the end of my 9th grade year. At the end of the year, I also got voted by my peers to get the Peacemaker Award which is only given to two lucky students out of the 9th grade.

I have been through tough times in the past five years, but I have also discovered God's amazing grace. I need nothing more because I was given the gift of life.