My name is Brittney Pettry, and I’m 40 years old. I’m blessed beyond words — I have the most supportive parents who have always been there for me, an incredible husband who has been my rock, wonderful friends, and my dogs, who are truly my everything. I love to work hard, play hard, and cherish every moment of this beautiful life. Sometimes, though, life deals us a few extra bumps in the road. For me, that journey began when I was just 13 years old.

In my first year of high school, I started feeling constant joint pain and fatigue. After several doctor visits and blood tests, I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack itself. There isn’t a single test that defines Lupus — it’s diagnosed by symptoms and patterns in bloodwork. At that young age, I didn’t let it stop me. I had an amazing family and friends who supported me every step of the way. I took my medications, followed doctor’s orders, and lived life like any other teenager.

When I turned 17 and left for college in Costa Mesa, everything changed. The stress of college life triggered my Lupus again. I began noticing swelling in my legs, and soon found out that my kidneys were being affected — a condition called Lupus Nephritis. This happens when Lupus attacks the kidneys’ filtering units, called glomeruli, leading to inflammation and damage. I began monthly chemotherapy treatments to control the swelling and protect my kidneys. It was a tough season of my life — so many pills, so many doctor visits — but I stayed positive and kept moving forward. That attitude became my strength. As the years passed, my kidneys gradually worsened. I continued to live life fully, doing my best to stay healthy and grateful.

Then, in 2023, I was hospitalized with pneumonia. During that time, doctors discovered fluid around my heart and determined that I needed an aortic valve replacement. Open-heart surgery was something I never expected, and recovery was long and difficult. My kidneys struggled to recover after the surgery, and eventually, I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Now, I do Peritoneal Dialysis at home every night. A catheter in my abdomen connects to a machine for about 10.5 hours while I sleep. This treatment acts as an artificial kidney, cleaning my blood and keeping me healthy. The blessing is that I can still travel, live my life, and hold onto hope.

I’m currently on the national transplant list waiting for a kidney. Unfortunately, in California, the average wait time for my blood type (O) is 10-12 years. That’s why I’m hoping to find a living donor. A living donor kidney offers a much better chance for long-term success, and the entire process — including all medical costs — is fully covered by my insurance (Kaiser Permanente). If someone begins the process but later decides it’s not right for them, they can step away completely anonymously — no questions asked, no pressure, and I would never know. This isn’t an easy thing to ask. It’s deeply humbling to put my story out there. But I believe in the goodness of people. It truly only takes one person to save a life — to give me a second chance to keep living the life I love. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Thank you for sharing it, for spreading awareness, and for simply caring. Every word, every share, every prayer means more to me than I can ever say. I have faith that my perfect match is out there — and that hope keeps me going every single day.