Danielle’s Story

Hi, I’m Danielle Roessle, a military spouse and mother of a one-year-old son. On February 18th, 2025, I received a life-saving kidney transplant—an event that changed my life forever. This is my journey.

I was a healthy, active woman until I gave birth to my son in February 2024. Complications during delivery changed everything—I lost my kidneys and suddenly found myself navigating motherhood while fighting for my life.

Since then, I’ve documented my journey—from surviving dialysis as a new mom to launching a kidney campaign in search of a living donor, to now embracing life post-transplant.

Through my vlogging and writing, I explore not just my own experience but the deeper realities of living with chronic illness, navigating the medical system, and, most importantly, the life-saving impact of organ donation. My hope is to spark deeper reflection, educate, and inspire meaningful conversations.

Whether you’re a friend following my updates, a fellow patient navigating your own journey, or simply curious about the life-changing power of organ donation, I invite you to follow along. It’s been a wild, emotional ride—and I’m just beginning to scratch the surface…

Interested in becoming a living kidney donor? Learn more through DOVE, a nonprofit supporting veterans in need.

Learn More About Becoming a Kidney Donor

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Blog

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It Just Sucks Sometimes

Maybe not every hardship needs to be turned into a narrative of growth. Maybe some of it just is. Sometimes it just fcking sucks, and it’s just part of being human.
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Between Pain and Purpose

My deepest prayer is to get better and return to the work I love — sharing my story, saving lives, and building communities again. But I’m learning to trust that, like Suleika Jaouad, I can write through the pain and, when the clouds part, shape my thoughts into something lasting: a memoir for Barney that tells him who I am, what I’ve loved, what I’ve struggled with, and what I believe in.
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I’m Not Feeling Well

This won’t be a very introspective email—I’m not feeling well. The main update is that my viral numbers have come down, which is encouraging.

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