Hi, I’m Jules. I am 30 years old and live right outside of Denver in Castle Rock, Colorado. I recently learned that I need a kidney transplant and that a living donor is my best shot at survival. I want to be healthy and productive again; I am young and hope to have a long life ahead of me!!
A Glimpse of Life Before Kidney Failure + Dialysis:
I Want to Enjoy Again…
Working with and riding horses. I have a horse I’ve been training named Maui. I dream of one day competing in derby events!
Caption: Maui at Christmas 2020
This is my happy place, on the back of a horse doing the thing I love most.
Dancing at live music venues. My favorite bands are Pretty Lights, Fleetwood Mac, and Rufus Du Sol. I can’t wait to get back to their concerts!
Pretty Lights Concert – Halloween 2013
Jules and devoted friend, Colin, at Red Rocks amphitheater outside Denver
Telluride 2016 - 2 nights of Pretty Lights and an amazing weekend!
& playing and hiking with my Black Lab, Mötley, named after another band I love, Mötley Crüe!
At 6 am, hours before COVID stay-at-home orders went into effect, I rescued Mötley from a breeder who wanted to euthanize him because he was the runt; I just couldn’t leave him to die.
Mötley is my emotional support animal. Since Santa didn’t bring me a matching kidney in 2020, maybe Mötley will help me find a living donor in 2021.
Mötley is an irresistible, sassy, silly, clever, curious and lovable cuddle bug. He makes things better, just by being around. His loving energy always lifts my spirits.
The consequences of raiding the recycling when Mom’s in the hospital and Grandma stays home to watch Mötley. His expression says it all.
Tributes from Jules’ Friends
Jules and Katie were inseparable in high school
I have known Julia since I was 12 years old. We met accidentally at a Bat Mitzvah in Middle School and connected immediately. We didn’t see each other again for 3 years when we ended up at the same High School. We were inseparable all throughout our 4 years of High School. We have gone through most of our lives together -- growing, learning, laughing. I can honestly say that Julia is someone who is absolutely so full of life. There is very little she wouldn’t try and just lives every day to the fullest. I could write novels full of our memories--from trips and cruises, to college and parties -- I truly can’t imagine what my life would have been without her. I want Julia to be able to live her life to its fullest potential because the sky is the limit, and she will certainly push it to its limits. Here’s to making many, many more memories together.
—Katie
Julia has been my best friend since I was 14 years old; honestly, I feel like the term “best friend” doesn’t even begin to describe what she is. When I tell you that she has never let Lupus define who she is, I mean it. She has been inspiring, supportive and loving to all of those around her while many did not know she was suffering. In 2017 Julia was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis, and none of us expected that she would be in this situation so soon. I’m beyond proud of her for how she has handled everything that has come her way, but the fact she’s been able to manage this does not mean this is any way for her to live. Julia is quite literally unable to do any of the things she loves in life. Julia has missed out on traveling, and she now cannot ride or really be around the animals she loves due to infection risk. A transplant for Julia would mean actually giving her the ability to LIVE.
—Kirsten
Kirsten hanging out with Jules’ black lab, Mötley
Jules and Lily began their close friendship as sorority sisters
Julia and I have had quite a friendship; no matter where we ended up we were always close. We started a sorority journey together, and it just makes me laugh to think about it, because we couldn’t have been further from peppy sorority girls. I could not have gotten through that time without Julia’s giant heart, kindness and humor. She has the most gentle personality, and she puts everyone ahead of herself even to her own detriment. She tries so hard to rise above her pain and discomfort and smile through. I have been to music festivals with her, traveled the world with her, and spent rough days lying around watching tv with her. I truly cherish her friendship, and I hope that the transplant center team is able to see what an incredibly sweet, kind and beautiful soul she is. She deserves the chance to live her life off dialysis and return to making the world a better place. I’m always here for her, and I hope she gets her miracle.
—Lily
Jules has been my best friend since 2012 when I moved in next door to her at college. The first time I met her she was so friendly, kind, generous to others, and fun! We clicked immediately and she has been a loyal friend ever since. She will be one of my bridesmaids in 2022 and I couldn’t imagine not having her by my side that day. Jules has had lupus ever since I met her, but I never would have guessed that right away. Jules spent her 30th birthday in the hospital with lupus nephritis. Soon after, she found out that her kidneys were failing and she needed to start emergency dialysis. Jules has handled this MAJOR life change with grace and positivity. What she needs for her best chance of survival is a live kidney donor. I want nothing more than for Jules to return to being able to travel for live music (whenever we safely can) and to be able to ride her horse. If you or anyone you know is interested in donating please reach out; it would save her life.
—Emily
Jules celebrating her 25th birthday with her good friend Emily in Rhode Island.
Savannah and Jules
I’ve only known Jules since 2013 but it feels like I’ve known her forever. We’ve never lived in the same city and usually not even the same state, but our friendship has never wavered! Jules is kind, loves music and traveling. From Connecticut to New York, Austin and Denver, Virginia to Washington State, Boston and Maine… we’ve made incredible memories together, and I can’t wait to keep experiencing life with Jules! Whether we’re spending the weekend at a music festival or spending the weekend on the couch watching movies, Jules always wants to make sure her friends are safe, happy, and having fun. She is one of the most kind and thoughtful people I know. I’ve watched Jules go above and beyond for her friends more times than I can count, often at her own expense… I want the absolute best for her, and she deserves the world!
—Savannah
You know the feeling of being honored to have someone so special in your life? To have someone who will always, whole-heartedly, be cheering you on, supporting you and believing in you? Because that is who Jules is to us. The friend who makes you feel heard and validated. The friend who goes out of her way to make sure you’re okay. The friend who is unbelievably caring, fiercely protective, incredibly kind and overflowing with generosity. The friend who will always advocate for you. You can always count on Jules to take initiative to plan the best trips – and boy have we had some good ones. Memories we have created are ones that we will always hold dear. Despite the obstacles and curveballs that get thrown at Jules, remarkably she always tries to remain positive. Her strength is admirable, and we can’t wait to see what else she is going to succeed at once her quality of life is restored
—Jess & Max
Jules and Jess at Logan Airport en route to Washington State.
Max snoozing with Jules’ (late) beloved dog, Bailey
Jules and Larina
Jules is one of the kindest and most loving and caring person I have EVER met. She goes out of her way for the people she loves and would do anything to make others feel happy and included. Honestly... the world needs more amazing people like Jules! I’m so thankful to know her and to have her beautiful spirit in my life. She has a way of shining her light even in the darkest of times.
Jules is the best dancing buddy, the best stay-in-and-cook-and-watch-movies-with buddy, the best friend, and the best human anyone will ever have the pleasure of knowing. She deserves the world and more, and she deserves to enjoy a very long joy-filled life! ♥️💛💚💙💜
—Larina
When I think of Jules it's so easy to just smile. She is one of those people who just oozes goodness from every single pore of her being! Our paths crossed years ago as she followed in my footsteps (without knowing) to Country Lane Farm and to a job at Beval Saddlery.. two places in Connecticut that really nurtured who I am in this horse world. We reconnected out here in Colorado when she wanted to get back in the saddle in a new state! Instantly we were compatible, not only as coach & student, but as friends. I truly miss seeing her out at the farm, as do all of her barn mates! We all can't wait for the day she can join us on trail rides and at horse shows being around the very animals that soothe her soul. We all wish for a donor for Jules so we can see more smiles and add more memories with her to our lives.
—Sarah
Jules is entranced by mini horses like this cutie posing with Sarah at the barn
Kristina who wrote this citation is Julia’s friend and fellow horse enthusiast.
Jules is a self-described Lupus Warrior.
Jules has been fighting lupus since her diagnosis in 2004. That made her a lupus warrior. When her kidneys failed and she had to go on dialysis she decided to go public and share her experience with others via her Instagram page (@haute_hemodialysis). Jules exchanges messages each day with other sufferers of kidney disease and chronic conditions; they provide each other with valuable support.
IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER BEING JULES’ LIVING DONOR,
Please visit http://www.pslmc.com/signmeup to fill out a survey to start the evaluation process. Link will open One Medical Passport. Click green “Register button. Create your account. Continue. Choose Presbyterian/St. Luke’s as Medical Facility. Enter JULIA ARONSON as Named Recipient.
You may also call the PSL Transplant Center at (720) 754-2155 or (800) 758-1005, Option 3.