Embracing Health

My name is Alexis Conell, and I am a kidney transplant recipient. In 2009, I was working full time, had a successful modeling career, and was working on my degree when my life changed in a way I never expected. I was diagnosed with Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis in January of 2010 and was placed on the transplant list in Illinois. I didn’t have the option for a live donor, so I had to wait for a match to become available. By the end of July 2011 after a round of failed chemotherapy, I was told I needed to begin Dialysis and was hospitalized to have a peritoneal dialysis catheter inserted. I did 9 hours of dialysis at home every night and then eventually had to add an exchange during workhours in my office. In April 2012 at the advice of my nephrologist I applied and was added to the transplant list in Madison Wisconsin. I continued my dialysis treatment until I received the call I had been praying for on July 17, 2012. The University Wisconsin Hospital in Madison had a Kidney for me, and I was transplanted that evening. I am now almost eight years out and am doing well. I occasionally have minor setbacks of illness due to the immunosuppression, but my kidney continues to do great.

Since my transplant I spend my time volunteering for the National Kidney foundation of Illinois participating in Springfield Lobby Day lobbying for bills that will help patients with kidney disease, transplant recipients, and donors. I also work NKFI health fairs, expos, and am an office volunteer. In June 2018 I joined the Community Advisory Council (CAC) for the Apollo (APOL1) Study at the National Institute of Health and was also interviewed by Kaiser Health News for an article regarding, “Medicare Anti-Rejection Medication Coverage After Kidney Transplant” and WIFR news in my hometown of Rockford, Illinois, and other podcasts. I continue to share my story and my challenges to fight for change in hopes that others will have more positive experiences and are aware of their options during and after their journey.

In 2019 I started “Alexis Conell Speaks”. I speak locally and travel sharing my story, experiences, and my challenges. I discuss the importance medication and lab consistency, wellness, fitness, and healthy food choices after transplant. It is so extremely important to get the word out especially in the African American community. I believe sometimes it’s easier to hear information from people who have experienced the same things and even look like you. So far, I have been blessed to speak at seminars and expo’s, in the media, gala’s, meetings, hospitals and clinics, and for drug companies. Recently I have been partnering with fitness instructors and trainers, spin studios, and gyms to speak at their facilities to help get information out to their customers and its going great. I strongly feel like this has been a missed opportunity. I am also studying to become a certified health coach as I only feel like this will put me in an even better position to help others.

I have been so very blessed to receive a second chance at life and I am not going to waste it. I put a lot into trying to stay healthy so that I can continue sharing and helping as I know that is my purpose.