January 10, 2023
Since donating a kidney to her brother Brian in 2005, June Monroe has led a life of adventure. She has traveled the world, gone skydiving, and won numerous medals for swimming at the Transplant Games of America. If all that wasn't enough, she's also an elementary school assistant principal, a published children's book author, and a dedicated Voices for Kidney Health advocate. Read on for her inspirational story.
Donating Her Kidney
[VIDEO::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IU0M2M8Hgs::aVideoStyle]
At ten years old, Brian's kidneys failed for an unknown reason. It was looking like he would need to start dialysis, but their father stepped in to donate one of his own kidneys.
"In the eighties, I was 12 years old when Brian's kidneys failed. My father ended up donating a kidney and he was able to avoid dialysis and live an enhanced life,” said June. “That kidney failed about 20 years later and Brian was on dialysis for two years."
Seeing their father live a healthy life with one kidney, and watching Brian struggle with kidney failure, June decided to donate. The successful transplant surgery took place on March 9th, 2005.
Are you considering becoming a living donor or in need of a transplant? Choose the self-paced, online course that fits your needs at the Kidney Learning Center.
Becoming a Voices for Kidney Health Advocate
June's advocacy journey began long before she donated a kidney or joined Voices for Kidney Health, our network of advocates.
"I wanted to become a kidney disease advocate when Brian was initially diagnosed with kidney failure," said June. "Then, my dad and Brian came out of the surgery and were fine. In that moment, I knew I wanted to become a lifetime living donation advocate too."
Shortly after donating her kidney, June participated in a panel discussing the importance of living donation and decided to continue volunteering as an advocate. As a dedicated assistant principal, June uses sound reasoning and negotiation skills daily to help her students succeed. She uses those same skills to educate lawmakers and help pass legislation protecting people with kidney disease and living donors.
"Many legislators don't know about kidney disease, so it's essential to educate them in order to pass legislation that supports the kidney community,” June said. “Educating legislators and getting their votes is one of the most important things for the community."
Now June is focused on getting the Living Kidney Donor Protection Act passed in Nevada, a state where no protection laws exist for living donors.
"If someone wants to donate a kidney and save a life, they should not be afraid of losing their jobs because they have to take time off," said June. "They should not be afraid of insurance discrimination for saving someone else's life.”
You are the strongest advocate for kidney patients, living donors, and their families. See how you can take action.
Living a Healthy and Full Life
Donating a kidney hasn't slowed June down in the slightest.
"I created a bucket list of everything I wanted to accomplish and achieve. I wrote a book, went bungee jumping, and I even went skydiving. I've taken a cruise and traveled by myself," said June. "I also participated in an event where living donors set a Guinness World Record of the most living donors in one location at the Bean or the Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois.”
June is incredibly grateful for the people she’s met through her advocacy with NKF: "Being involved in the kidney and transplant community has given me many life experiences I normally would not have been able to participate in. I've made lifelong friends and collaborated with people in the community. It's a tremendous experience.”
Join our network of advocates to make a difference for the kidney community and get connected with other amazing advocates like June. We can’t wait to meet you!
