Meet Emmalee! She is currently in her Senior Year at Sebeka High School and just like many other teens, COVID has taken away a lot of the fun activities of her final year of HS – but so has her diagnosis of kidney disease. Her condition has continued to worsen throughout her life to the point of being placed on the transplant list. In August of 2019, she had a match and endured transplant surgery. Thankfully, the new kidney was functioning and she came to Wishes & More to discuss a shopping spree wish. We planned her wish for March… and then COVID hit and her wish was postponed. In May, we found out that she’d been in a serious car accident and when being treated for her injuries, they found problems with her transplant. Soon after, doctors confirmed that the kidney had failed and immediately placed her on a dialysis regimen which she’s continued twice weekly for 3.5 hours each day. Treatments have consumed her days, but her dreams continued. She decided to change her wish to a car allowance, which she used to purchase a 2011 Buick Regal! We recently caught up with Emmalee who told us that she’s enjoyed driving around with friends and having the capable car to get to and from work and dialysis. She’s also focusing on her future and has already applied for our Scholarship of Hope program. She intends to use it to study social work at Central Lakes College next Fall. She was inspired by the many social workers who have supported her through her many, many times in the hospital and she would like to be able to provide the same inspiration and assistance to others. Sending our best wishes to Emmalee as she continues dreaming and looking forward to better days ahead!
