Mom Jen Strouse and her hero/son EJ have faced more health challenges in his 10 years than most families will face in a lifetime. Born with just one kidney that wasn't fully functioning, he eventually received a kidney transplant that unfortunately came with even more complications. Through it all, Jen has remained resilient and works hard to create some normalcy for her son.

Follow EJ's journey on Facebook here.

Diagnosed with juvenile insulin dependent diabetes at age four, Daja Weathers had no idea how her future would look. Although complications later in life led her to a kidney and pancreas transplant, advocating for organ donor awareness and transplantation has now become her mission.

When Brooke Wozniak learned fellow volleyball mom Sue suffered from the same rare condition as her own mother, she offered Sue her kidney without hesitation. That spur-of-the-moment decision became a mission for Brooke – one she wanted to see all the way through.

Chicago Public Schools’ Deputy Chief Talent Officer Jerry Taylor’s college experience was turned upside down when he learned he was living with a rare kidney disease – one that would later claim the lives of his mother and beloved sister. Jerry’s years on dialysis, strong support system, and advocacy work help him inspire others who are facing similar struggles.

Leah Howell, PhD is a not just a kidney recipient, she’s an advocate, kidney ambassador, and this year she’s a marathon runner. She and her 21-year-old transplanted kidney Joey are training for the Chicago Marathon with Team Kidney to show the world just what transplant recipients are capable of.

Follow Leah’s journey on social media! You can find her on Facebook and Instagram

Bill Boscow and Carter Freeman first met on their college hockey team, but they never could’ve imagined what the next four decades of friendship would have in store. When Carter discovered he was in need of a third life-saving kidney transplant, his teammate Bill stepped up and answered the call.

Moira Miller was a healthy, active 20-something when she learned her liver was failing and she would need a transplant. Several decades later, she found herself in need of a combination liver and kidney transplant. Through the years, she’s found community with the organ transplant community and is living her life to the fullest in honor of her donor.

Connect with Moira on social media

Instagram: @jimoira

Facebook: @Moira Lydon Miller

LinkedIn: Moira Miller

Biologist Susan May felt a little back pain that she suspected might be a kidney stone. She never expected to learn a large tumor had been slowly growing inside her for the past decade.