Jessica LeBlanc spent much of her time in high school playing music and volunteering, until she was faced with serious health issues. Overcoming adversity and learning to deal with challenges in life became her top priority, and today she is thankful for that.

LeBlanc, a transfer student at Grand Valley State University, describes herself as “a huge band geek.” She first began playing the flute when she was seven years old. Since then, she has learned to play the guitar, the piano and some clarinet and saxophone.

Coming from a musical family, LeBlanc said that at first, she didn’t like playing the flute but, after joining band in middle school, things changed.

“I really began to love music,” she said.

She went on to do three years of middle school band, four years of high school band and even joined an extracurricular band in her community.

But, when she was 16-years-old, LeBlanc’s life as a music-loving girl changed. One day, what she thought was an experience of blurry vision soon turned out to be a much bigger issue: her kidneys had failed. After visiting multiple doctors, it was discovered that LeBlanc had experienced a type of genetic kidney failure and needed to be put on a transplant list.

LeBlanc soon had to begin daily dialysis treatment, something that hindered her ability to take part in extracurricular activities because it took 12 hours out of her day. As a once-active junior in high school, she then found herself at home every night before 8 p.m. unable to take part in volunteering or performing in marching band.

On Halloween night of that year, six months after starting dialysis, LeBlanc received a call that the hospital had a kidney for her, and within hours she was scheduled for a kidney transplant.

“My life immediately improved, and I felt better than I ever have,” LeBlanc said about life after receiving the transplant. “I was just so happy all the time.”

While in the hospital, a social worker introduced LeBlanc to the idea of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. LeBlanc decided to make a wish to help her pay for college.

“I wanted to invest in something that would actually help me, instead of meeting Taylor Swift or something,” she said.

After a few weeks, LeBlanc’s wish was granted.

After graduating high school, LeBlanc stayed home and did her first year of school at a community college. Her parents still had their concerns, so they felt it was best if she was close to them before moving to GVSU.

After arriving at GVSU this year, LeBlanc has maintained her active extracurricular activities, becoming a part of community council for Murray-Vansteeland and volunteering for the Relay for Life. She is also a member of the Residence Housing Association, the American Sign Language and Deaf Culture club and the Make-A-Wish club.

Just because she had a kidney transplant, LeBlanc said that she isn’t a different person.

“I just had a little road bump,” she said.

After learning to appreciate her health more, LeBlanc is determined to make the most of her time at college. She is studying nursing, something she loves, and trying to do her part to give back. Most importantly though, she’s enjoying herself.

[email protected]