How I got here — and why I'm asking for your help
My name is Justin. I'm a construction superintendent — the kind of guy who's most comfortable with a hard hat on and a project coming together around him. Outside of work, I'm a husband and a dad. My wife Sammi and our daughter Avery are my whole world, and our two dogs Layla and Zoe make sure there's never a quiet moment in the house. Golf and hockey are year-round constants for me — not just because I love the games, but because they keep me connected to friends I've had for years. And if I'm not on a job site or a course, I'm probably right where I want to be: with my family.
I've known for most of my life that Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD, was part of my story. PKD is a hereditary condition where clusters of cysts slowly grow on the kidneys over time, gradually reducing their ability to function. There's no cure — only management — and for many people, it quietly progresses for years before it becomes a crisis. I always knew a transplant would likely be in my future. I just didn't expect it to come this fast.
"I always knew a transplant would likely be in my future. I just didn't expect it to come this fast."
After months of testing and evaluation, we received incredible news — we had found a match, and felt confident we would soon be scheduling a transplant. Unfortunately, an unexpected setback closed that door. While the news was hard to take, we remain hopeful and are continuing our search for a living donor who can make that day possible.
I'm not sharing this to ask for sympathy. I'm sharing it because somewhere out there, there may be someone reading this who could be the reason I get to watch Avery grow up, keep showing up for Sammi, and get back to living the life I love.