Jessica Gonzales has lived with lupus, an autoimmune disease, for years. It changed the way she lived day-to-day, forcing the kindergarten teacher to step away from her teaching job. Her lupus rendered her exhausted and stole her independence.
Prior to her transplant, Gonzales used a wheelchair to navigate her day-to-day activities, and missed milestone events like weddings and baby showers. A former dancer who grew up in Dallas, Texas, Gonzales had dreams of becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.
In December 2024, Gonzales was volunteering with one of her sister’s Nothing Bundt Cakes stores. She went to bed that evening, and woke up early the next morning with a call that changed her life: a kidney and liver transplant were available.
“More than anything, I was excited to be self-sufficient,” says Jessica, adding, “I thank my donor and his family every day.”
At Penn Medicine Transplant Institute, Gonzales received her life-saving transplants which have since allowed her to be healthy and active. She visited Gift of Life’s team to share her story, and hosted a fundraiser at one of her sister’s Nothing Bundt Cakes locations for Gift of Life Howie’s House. Proceeds went to the House, supporting the transplant families who call it a “home away from home.”
“If it wasn’t for you and all the things you do every day, there wouldn’t be people like me,” Jessica told Gift of Life staff.
There are still more than 25,000 Hispanic and Latino adults and children in the U.S. who await their life-saving transplant. Register as an organ donor today: https://donatelifepa.org/register-as-an-organ-donor/
We share Jessica’s story as part of Hispanic Heritage month, a month to celebrate and amplify Hispanic and Latino voices in donation and healthcare.