Nichole is Hoping a Living Kidney Donor will Come Forward

Nichole Jenson of West Seneca needs a kidney transplant and is hoping to find a living kidney donor. She’s working with the transplant center at ECMC. Nichole loves animals, especially her dog Bella and cat Alley. She enjoys painting, creating stained glass and making jewelry.

“I’ve always loved to craft but lately it has been my way to decompress from so much going on in my life,” she said.

Nichole has faced a long and complicated health journey, including six major surgeries and 10 blood transfusions. “I’ve overcome so many health obstacles and almost died a couple times,” she said.

Among other conditions, doctors diagnosed Nichole with chronic kidney disease more than eight years ago. Her kidneys shut down during a battle with sepsis in 2021 that required an 11 day stay in the intensive care unit. Nichole has persevered through it all, even relearning how to walk after knee injuries and lymphedema issues.

Despite deadly illnesses and challenging complications, Nichole kept fighting and worked to lose more than 200 pounds. She’s accomplished a lot and even does modified kickboxing. “As much as I have improved my health, now I’m in need of a kidney transplant,” Nichole said. A living kidney donor would provide her with the best opportunities for renewed health.

She loves to watch the sunset and enjoys nature. “I have big, beautiful flower and vegetable gardens every year,” she added.

Nichole has type B blood, meaning she could receive a kidney from a donor with type B or type O blood. There are also exchange and paired donation programs if there’s a living donor who is willing but isn’t compatible. For information about living donation at ECMC, call 716-898-4931.