When Audrey Vasquez was 13 years old, she was diagnosed with Wegeners granulomatosis, a very rare, often fatal, inflammatory disease that mostly attacks the respiratory system and kidneys. At age 16, the night before her father was to be her living kidney donor, she received a kidney from a deceased donor. “I’m grateful for everything that has happened and getting back to a normal life. And I’m glad I had such an amazing surgeon and transplant team,” said Audrey.

Audrey's Story

When Audrey Vasquez was 13 years old, she was diagnosed with Wegeners granulomatosis, a very rare, and often fatal, inflammatory disease that mostly attacks the respiratory system and the kidneys. By the time she was 15, she was in need of dialysis. Dialysis was not easy for Audrey – full of restrictions, requiring three hours of dialysis at 5am before school, and the beach off-limits during the summer. Her dialysis nurse told her about The Painted Turtle, a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, where she would be able to go swimming and make new friends to whom she could relate.

When Audrey returned home from camp, there was good news waiting: she was eligible for a kidney transplant. Her father proved to be a good match. “I knew my dad was nervous about the surgery, but he wouldn’t show it,” said Audrey.

Audrey’s surgery was scheduled for November 9, 2007, but but three days before, she received a midnight phone call that a kidney from a deceased donor had been allocated to her. “The whole process of preparing for surgery was so quick, I had no time to worry or be nervous – just content about getting my kidney after a long year,” recalled Audrey.

Audrey, a senior in high school, is now leading the life of a normal 17-year-old. She is back to swimming and loves to dance.“I’m grateful for everything that has happened and getting back to a normal life. And, I’m glad that I had such an amazing surgeon and transplant team.”