Theme: “Describe a positive decision that you have made about your healthcare.”
15th Annual Essay Contest Winners
Making Lemonade Out of Lemons – 1st Place Winner 15th Annual Essay Contest
“I’m afraid it’s time for your husband to start dialysis!”, the doctor declared. The room fell silent as the news percolated in our heads....
Life or Death – 2nd Place Winner (Tie) 15th annual essay contest
Why am I am so nauseous? Why am I so tired? Why am I so dizzy? In October of 1979 I continued to ask...
Squirming Toward My New Normal – 2nd Place Winner (Tie) 15th annual essay contest
A chance meeting in a random hallway led to changes. Echoes of conversations filled my mind.
“You should opt to get yourself back on the...
Tony’s Kidney – 3rd Place Winner 15th Annual Essay Contest
I am Tony’s kidney, and this is my story. I have a twin brother. Each of us is the size of a fist, and...
Deciding I Could Lose Weight – Presidents Pick 15th Annual Essay Contest
Nobody asks for end-stage renal disease. I’m still not even sure what started the process of IgA nephropathy I was diagnosed with a few...
Just Keep Moving – 15th Annual Essay Contest Honorable Mention
At an early age, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. Nothing says “awkward childhood” quite like edema, dialysis catheters, and depression. In addition, nothing...
Take It with a Grain of Mrs. Dash! – Honorable Mention 15th Annual Essay...
“How does your food taste?” A simple question to most. A life-changing question to me. “Terrible” I said with tears in my eyes. Somebody...
Turning Point – Honorable Mention 15th Annual Essay Contest
The turning point of my life occurred during my junior year of high school. I had just come off of an amazing weekend of...
Prepare For the Best – Honorable Mention 15th Annual Essay Contest
“This storm doesn’t appear to be a major one, but you should always prepare for the worst,” the weatherman chirped animatedly. I groaned, rolled...
Positive Kidney Living – Honorable Mention 15th Annual Essay Contest
For months, while living in the shadows of renal failure, I was petrified. Petrified of getting extremely sick, of potential dialysis, of the possibility...
Keep Smilin’ – Honorable Mention 15th Annual Essay Contest
Dear Positivity,
I have a confession to make to you Positivity: I want to be you.
People always said I was you, because I would flash...
“These essays are full of hope and inspiration. They prove that resilience is alive and well in the kidney community,” said Lori Hartwell, president and founder of Renal Support Network.
This year’s first place winner Brad Chaffee said, “When I saw the topic, it moved me to write. This essay was from my heart and the essay contest gave me an opportunity tell my story.”
Deborah Ramsey, who tied for second place said, “I feel so overwhelming blessed that I share my story with anyone and everyone! I just want to encourage those who are going through similar experiences that THERE IS HOPE! My dream is to be an accomplished published writer and/or speaker, dedicating myself to organ donation awareness and helping others who are on their own journey through tough medical issues.”
Honorable Mention Winner Mary Wu says, “Always ‘Keep Smilin’ is a tribute to positivity and gratitude for the people we meet and this extraordinary journey full of thrilling twists and turns!”
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