A Life Changed in Hours: Josue’s Kidney Transplant Story
Josue was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, along with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can affect growth and development. In those early hours, survival was uncertain.
When Josue Mendoza was born, his parents faced the unthinkable.
“After delivery, they flew him to Colorado, and that’s where we found out it was his kidneys,” said his mom, Judith. “They said that he was going to be lucky if he only lived like 24 hours.”
Josue was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, along with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can affect growth and development. In those early hours, survival was uncertain. But Josue kept fighting.
He made it past 24 hours. Then another day. And another.
Still, the challenges remained. His kidneys continued to fail, and much of his early life was spent in and out of the hospital. His family traveled hours at a time for care, navigating long days and weekends centered around dialysis and treatment.
“Two years ago, he wasn’t walking or talking,” Judith said. “We were in the hospital five hours away from home every weekend dealing with dialysis machines.”
Everything changed on March 7, 2023.
That’s the day Josue received a life-saving kidney transplant.
“Life has changed since transplant. A lot,” Judith said. “Within hours, he started drinking water, he started eating.”
The transformation was almost immediate. What once felt uncertain began to fill with hope.
“A few months later, he started walking,” she said. “It’s amazing what a transplant can do.”
Today, Josue is a thriving 4-year-old with a bright personality and endless energy. He brings joy to everyone around him and is looking forward to milestones his family once feared might never come, like starting school and simply being a kid.
“He’s thriving now that he got his kidney,” Judith said.
Behind Josue’s second chance is the generosity of a donor hero and their family, whose decision made this new life possible.
Josue’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation. Because of that one selfless choice, a little boy who once faced impossible odds is now living a full and active life.
Learn more about organ donation at ShareLifeMidwest.com.
