04/08/2026
One of our own is courageously sharing her personal organ donor story, offering a powerful reminder of the lifesaving impact of donation and the strength found in giving hope to others.
Jessica Oswald, LPN, nurse educator attended the CORE Flag Ceremony yesterday and spoke about her own experience.
Organ donation is often something people hear about in passing, maybe when renewing a driver’s license or during a public campaign. But for people like me, organ donation is not just an idea.
It is the reason I am alive today.
My journey with kidney disease began in 2009, shortly after the birth of my oldest son, George. I was diagnosed with FSGS, which progressed over the next few years, and by 2013, my kidneys had failed to the point that I needed a transplant.
Like many people facing that reality, my family and friends stepped forward to be tested. Out of that incredible group of people willing to help, my aunt turned out to be a match. In 2013, I received my first kidney transplant.
It was an incredible gift — but unfortunately, due to chronic rejection, that kidney failed just one year later.
After that, I spent the next three and a half years on peritoneal dialysis. Every day was structured around treatments, hospital visits, and trying to maintain some sense of normal life.
But something unexpected happened during that time.
Being in and out of hospitals so often, I was surrounded by nurses who were caring for patients during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Watching them made me realize that I wanted to be part of that. I wanted to help people the way they were helping me.
So, while I was on dialysis, I went back to school and graduated in 2015.
In 2016, I was relisted for a kidney transplant, and I received three calls during that time.
The first call was for a young patient who had suffered from a severe peanut allergy. In the end, it wasn’t the right match.
The second call was for a 42-year-old man who had a tragic accident. Again, because of antibodies, it wouldn’t work.
Then, on the night of November 3rd, 2017, I received another call that there might be a possible match.
My husband rushed home from Erie, my sister-in-law took me to the hospital, and honestly, I wasn’t overly excited. After all this was the 3rd time rushing to the hospital, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
But after hours of testing and waiting, the doctors came in and told me I would be getting the transplant.
My donor was a young woman who was 23 weeks pregnant and had suffered an aneurysm. In the middle of unimaginable tragedy, her family made the decision to donate her organs.
Because of that decision, I was given another chance at life.
I carry immense gratitude for her and for her family. Their strength and generosity gave me the opportunity to still be here today.
Because of organ donation, I have been able to work as a nurse and care for patients the way others once cared for me.
Because of organ donation, I have been able to build a life doing something meaningful.
And most importantly, because of organ donation, I was given the chance to be a mom again.
My boys, George and Leo, get their mom.
A mom who can be present.
A mom who can work, live, and show up for them.
A mom who is no longer tied to a dialysis machine every day.
Organ donation is more than a medical procedure. It is hope. It is compassion. It is the ultimate act of generosity.
One donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and improve the lives of many more.
But behind those numbers are real people. People with families, dreams, and futures that depend on that gift.
I get to stand here today as one of those people.
I hope today reminds everyone that the decision to be an organ donor has the power to change lives in ways you may never see, but that will be felt for generations.
Because of one family’s decision during their darkest moment, I am here living a life I love. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
