In 2005, Monica Brown began experiencing flu-like symptoms and was in and out of the hospital for the next two years. She was finally diagnosed with lupus and high blood pressure which eventually caused end-stage kidney disease and required dialysis. As it happened, Monica had been working in a dialysis unit for ten years, so she was very familiar with kidney disease and the process. On August 9, 2012, she received her new kidney. The following year, Monica and her husband attended a candlelight memorial ceremony to honor her donor and celebrate the wonderful gift she had been given. There, by accident, she met the mother of Abby Cecena, her donor. Monica will ride on the Donate Life float near Abby's floragraph.

Monica's Story

In 2005, Monica Brown began experiencing flu-like symptoms and was in and out of the hospital during the next two years. Finally, in 2007, she was diagnosed with lupus and high blood pressure. Over time, complications from lupus, along with the high blood pressure, caused damage to her kidneys. In 2010, Monica was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and required dialysis. As it happened, Monica had been working in a dialysis unit for 10 years, so she was very familiar with kidney disease and the process.

During those 10 years, Monica had been a cheerleader for the patients, encouraging them while they waited for a transplant. Now Monica had to be her own cheerleader and believe that one day she would get a kidney. According to Monica, keeping a positive focus was the hardest part of the journey. She credits God for His blessing, her family and support from her church.

While waiting for her transplant, Monica continued to work part-time with a home health agency, but often felt drained and lacking energy. For two years, Monica tried to remain hopeful as she lived on dialysis for nine hours each night. On August 9, 2012, while driving, she received the call that changed her life - a kidney had become available.

Since her transplant, Monica, 51, is full of energy and feels like she can do anything. She has shared her story with other patients considering transplant. Many can't believe she was so sick because she looks so healthy now.

In 2013, Monica and her husband, Les, attended Mid-America Transplant Services' Candlelight Memorial Ceremony to honor her donor and celebrate the wonderful gift she had been given. Monica had corresponded and exchanged pictures with her donor family several times and wondered if they would be there. After finding a seat in a crowd of more than 1,500 people, a woman approached Les asking if his wife was Monica. The woman was Tammy, the mother of Monica's donor, Abby Cecena. Tammy had recognized Monica and Les from the pictures they had exchanged. After hugging and crying, Monica met Abby's twin sister, Kady, and older sister, Madison.

"It was one of the most memorable moments of my life," said Monica. Monica will ride on the Donate Life float near Abby's floragraph.