26° and Sunny
Image
Above, Victoria Bartlett showcases Governor Healey's Proclamation.
For Victoria Bartlett, a Franklin wife, mother of three college-aged kids, and a long-time resident of town, her ‘journey’ started almost three decades ago after experiencing cola-colored urine and back pain following a couple of viral infections. The culprit: IgA Nephropathy, a disease of the kidney and the immune system that leads to inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney, the key structures that help provide the organ’s filtration ability.
“Despite having near-normal kidney function at the time, the PhD-trained scientist was told there was no cure—just medications to potentially slow disease progression, “and that I would likely need a kidney transplant eventually,” she recalled.
For over 20 years, Bartlett managed the disease with regular nephrology visits, even during her high-risk pregnancies, which required careful monitoring but resulted in healthy births.
“For many years, my rate of kidney decline was slow, and I lived mostly symptom-free, thanks to the kidney’s built-in reserve function,” said Bartlett. But the silent progression of the disease caught up with her during the COVID pandemic, leading to symptoms of kidney failure, including fatigue, anemia, shortness of breath, heartburn, and itching. “In 2020, I was placed on the transplant list and began seeking a donor,” Bartlett explained. Then, “a dear friend” heroically stepped up, and “I received the gift of life through a living-donor kidney transplant on April 27, 2021.” Four years post-transplant, Bartlett said she is “incredibly grateful and doing well.”
Advocacy and Community
In January 2024, Bartlett became an Ambassador for the IgA Nephropathy Foundation, a role that has connected her with other IGAN patients and strengthened her resolve to raise awareness and support for those affected. “Meeting others with the disease has shown me how unique each journey is and the importance of community support,” said Bartlett. "I also learned that many patients are diagnosed at a much more advanced stage of disease. This is why we want to raise awareness to the importance of routine kidney screening. Lifestyle and medication changes can slow IGAN progression and prolong kidney function."
This year, at Bartlett’s request and in coordination with national efforts, Governor Healey has proclaimed Wednesday, May 14th as “IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day” in Massachusetts, a significant step forward to build awareness for those who may have the disease and for healthcare professionals as well.
Bartlett traveled to the State House to receive the proclamation and sees Healey’s support as another important milestone in a long journey.
“Recent drug approvals and ongoing clinical trials for IGAN provide hope, potentially delaying or even preventing the need for transplants,” said Bartlett. That’s a huge “breakthrough for the community,” she added. “I truly believe the future is bright for IGAN patients,” Bartlett said.
More information on the disease and possible treatment options is available through IgAN
Foundation
at igan.org.
