Meet Riley.

I want to offer community, support, and optimism.

Hello, my name is Riley and my journey with kidney disease began in a LensCrafters when I was 27. I’d gone in for headaches(I felt great otherwise), assuming I just needed a new prescription. Usually, I’d skip the optional eye imaging. “I’m 27, I’m healthy,” I’d think, but something told me to say yes that day. That $50 test revealed severe hemorrhaging in my eyes, and just days later I was in the ER.

I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure caused by an autoimmune disease called IgA Nephropathy. Within the week, I started peritoneal dialysis eight hours a day, every day. But I did not allow this burden to hinder me. I continued to work, exercise regularly, ride my one wheel, ski, and almost every other fun activity I enjoy. I continued to travel, bringing my dialysis machine with me. I traveled to concerts across the country and, more importantly, to my lifelong best friend's wedding where I was his best man. It was also during this time that I found golf—something I never expected to love, but now it’s one of my favorite ways to spend time outdoors.

I’m now the recipient of a kidney transplant from my incredible father, and I’m currently pursuing my MBA at UC San Diego to blend my passion for innovation with purpose-driven work such as my current role at Balboa Nephrology, a leader in quality and outcomes-oriented care for kidney patients. I never could have imagined I would be working in nephrology, especially coming from the VFX world, but I could not be more excited and proud of the work that my experience with kidney disease has led me to.

Through Remend, I want to offer community, support, and optimism. I may be young, but that doesn’t stop me and it shouldn’t stop you either. Kidney patients can live incredibly fun, vibrant, and exciting lives. I’m living proof.