Born on May 30, 1993, Jeremy was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and doctors at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California recommended a life-saving kidney transplant. An estimated $60,000 is being raised by Pleasant Hill volunteers. 

The weekend of July 19, 2008, 15-year old Jeremy Bedig traveled to San Diego with his soccer team to compete in a tournament.  Up to this point, Jeremy had always been healthy, with nothing more than childhood colds and flues to speak of.

On the drive to San Diego, Jeremy’s ankles began to swell.  He competed in the tournament all weekend long, feeling great and playing well.  Thinking that he had a minor soccer injury, his parents wrapped his ankles, applied ice, and never thought that anything more serious was going on. 

Upon returning home, Jeremy went to see his pediatrician. His parents were sure that the doctor would tell them that Jeremy had a minor sports injury.  When the doctor saw his ankles, however, he advised that Jeremy be taken to the local medical facility for testing right away.  He stated that swelling in both ankles could be a sign of something more serious going on.

Within 24 hours, Jeremy was being seen by a pediatric nephrologist (kidney doctor), and two days after that was scheduled for a kidney biopsy.  One week after going to the doctor for what was believed to be a minor sports injury, Jeremy was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS for short). 

FSGS is a rare disease, and the type that Jeremy has (collapsing variant) is the most aggressive and least responsive to treatment of all the FSGS variants. 

There is no cure for FSGS, and over the course of the next year, Jeremy underwent various treatments (including chemotherapy, high-dose steroid infusions and immunosuppressant medications) in an attempt to put the disease into remission.  During that time, Jeremy had to make major changes to his diet and had to adjust to the various side effects of the different medications. 

Throughout his treatments, and at the encouragement of his doctors, Jeremy stayed in school.  He was selected for his Varsity High School soccer team and competed at the High School and Club soccer levels.  The prednisone and chemotherapy treatments had all kinds of side effects, including a “moon” face, weight gain, and mood swings. The medicine also gave him shaky hands, which made it hard to concentrate in school.  None of these side effects, however, deterred Jeremy from staying in school and staying in great shape.  Jeremy’s outlook was always positive, always looking to the future, and always knowing that he could beat this disease.

On June 29, 2009, Jeremy’s blood pressure shot up and he was sick.  After lab tests were taken at the emergency room, it was discovered that Jeremy was in kidney failure.  He was taken to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford for what would become a three-week hospitalization.

During his hospitalization, Jeremy had two dialysis catheters inserted and underwent the removal of both of his kidneys.  At the recommendation of Jeremy’s medical team at Lucille Packard, Jeremy was added to the UNOS transplant list in April 2009 and is currently waiting for the phone to ring with news of an available kidney!  In the meantime, Jeremy is on peritoneal dialysis every night for 8 hours at home. 

Jeremy’s family has already incurred thousands of dollars in expenses for his recent hospitalization.  Despite having health insurance, many expenses are not covered. Jeremy’s treatment takes place in Palo Alto, about an hour's drive from their home, and his transplant will be done there too. Jeremy and his family will likely be required to live in Palo Alto upon discharge from the hospital.  

Once the transplant is done, Jeremy will be required to remain on a strict medicine regimen for the rest of his life to ensure that his body does not reject the transplanted kidney. This medication is expensive, but is life-saving and is required for the health of the kidney. 

Unfortunately a kidney transplant does not always cure FSGS.  Many FSGS patients undergo more than one transplant in their lifetime.  Fundraising done through COTA will not only help Jeremy now, but also will follow Jeremy for the rest of his life and enable him to purchase required medication and to cover the costs of future transplants, should they be needed.   

Those of you who know Jeremy, know that he is a positive, motivated, brave young man who is determined not to let this disease deter his plans for high school, college and beyond.  With the help of COTA and you, Jeremy can realize all of his dreams! 

UPDATE: On November 4, 2009, Jeremy got the call that he was waiting for.  A kidney was available from a deceased donor and was the best possible match for him.  He underwent his transplant on November 5th and returned to school part-time on February 4th.  Jeremy began practicing with his High School varsity soccer team just a few weeks after the transplant and was cleared to play in a game on February 5th! Jeremy has now started an entirely new phase of this journey. His life now is all about religiously taking his medications, keeping in shape, eating great and staying healthy.  His medical expenses are still very high due to required medications, weekly lab work and clinic visits.  Through COTA and the generosity of so many family and friends,Jeremy has successfully made it through what is hopefully the most difficult of times for him.   Jeremy continues to need support to build a fund that will follow him for the rest of his healthy, long life-- a fund that ensures that he never misses a single dose of medication or doctor's visit!  Your continued support of Jeremy through fundraising and donations is still greatly needed.  

Donations can be made several ways: A local bank account has been opened for cash donations.  Deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch to Account No. 6733374356.  Checks should be made payable to COTA with "in honor of Jeremy B." in the memo line.  Donations can also be made online by clicking on "donate now," or can be mailed directly to COTA. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Additionally, please click on "Activities and Events" to find out about other activities that you can participate in. 

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. In the Pleasant Hill area, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local teen Jeremy Bedig.