Why I Move

My name is Josh Wilder and I was born with a rare condition called Prune Belly Syndrome or Eagle-Barrett disease which caused my urinary tract system to be underdeveloped.

I was not supposed to live past 5 because my kidneys were not functioning appropriately. The doctors placed me on a strict protein limited diet to increase their efficacy. At the time, there was not much knowledge about this disease or the associated complication. They knew I would require a kidney transplant in the near future for me to continue to develop and be healthy. I was placed on the renal transplant list at a very young age.

At the age of 9, I was a near perfect match with a girl who had died by a drunk driver in a motor vehicle accident. Her name was Kristen Reagle and she was only 15 years old from Buffalo, New York. She saved my life.

On September 10, 1997, I became a whole new person. I was able to eat ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, steak, chicken, etc. I had NEVER been able to do up until that point in my life. I also became more adventurous and ambitious with this newfound life. From that moment on, I decided to live my life for both Kristen and myself because her life was stolen from her. She has been my guardian angel and therefore I live everyday like it's my last.

I swim, hike, travel the world, became a surgeon, do obstacle course races and (the biggest one yet) got casted on the best reality show on the planet, Survivor Season 44. This has always been a dream of mine however I never thought this could happen with my condition. Through determination and a healthy lifestyle, I have been able to do this. I know Kristen would have loved the challenges and game play if she were still with us.

My fundraiser is to help those who have chronic renal illnesses like I do and help support those who need transplants and ongoing dialysis. Donating will be the ultimate gift of life.

Thank you for your support!