Danielle’s Story

Hi, I’m Danielle Roessle—a military spouse and mom to a 18-month-old son. On February 18, 2025, I received a life-saving kidney transplant. But soon after, it failed. 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 receiving a transplant, and having it fail.

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 here as a friend, a fellow patient, or simply curious about what this life is like with kidney disease, I hope you’ll follow along. This story is still unfolding.

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

Blog

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Good News… I Guess?

So — is this bad news? Yes. I’m disappointed that my new kidney is officially dead. It was a huge sacrifice on Brad’s part, my donor, and I loved the energy and zest I felt for those nine weeks. Is it good news? Weirdly, also yes. My native kidneys are holding on.
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Moments of ‘Happily’

Maybe life isn’t about a singular happily ending. Maybe it’s about the moments—Those three mornings I woke up feeling better, like this morning hanging out with Barney... I’ll take them. They are moments of ‘happily.’
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Rare Disease Diagnosis

Thankfully, one of my nephrologists took my concerns seriously. He re-reviewed the genetic test and looked into other autoimmune causes. That’s how he came to diagnose me with aHUS.

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