Mission Statement: Our mission is to connect people who are in need of a life-saving kidney transplant with people who are willing and able to be living donors. We provide awareness, networking, toolkits, and community support to recipients, donors, caregivers, and family and friends with all things related to the living kidney donor process.
Brad Stoehr, Co-President & Co-Founder…and Chief Donor!
brad@oddkidneys.org
Brad has always liked helping people, but becoming a kidney donor wasn’t necessarily on the list. But that all changed when he saw an old high school friend who was in need. Since that date on January 25, 2021, Brad’s now looking to help others in the kidney transplant journey.
Outside of serving Odd Kidneys, Brad is the Central Divisional Director for Horizon Investments. But his most important job is as a husband and father. Married to Leslie Stoehr since 2007, they have two kiddos, Stella Reese and Miller Patrick.
When there is any free time (ha-ha) Brad is an avid Clemson fan as a 2005 graduate and The Tiger mascot (2003-2005). He’s also a member of F3, a nationwide men’s workout group whose mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.
Petra Herzog, Co-President & Co-Founder…and Chief Recipient!
petra@oddkidneys.org
Petra’s story begins when she developed Type 1 Diabetes as a child. She has struggled with the harsh effects of this disease for decades. In 2020, right at the height of the Covid pandemic that shut the world down, she was taken to the ER and hospitalized. That’s where she found out she’d have to be on dialysis until she could get a kidney transplant. After several months of testing and waiting, her donor, Brad Stoehr, was approved despite an international pandemic! On January 25, 2021, against many odds, Petra got a new kidney!
This incredible and life-saving act made her want to pay it forward. Her incredible donor and she started Odd Kidneys to help donors, recipients, and their caregivers navigate through the process of living donation.
Petra is an alum of Wofford College and University of SC. She earned her Master’s in psychology from Harvard University. Boating is one of her biggest passions and she’s happy to be able to do water activities now that she’s had a transplant. She loves animals, and definitely spoils her French Bulldog, Luna, way too much!
Kristi M. Flynn, Vice-President
kristi@oddkidneys.org
Kristi has been a strong and outspoken advocate for kidney disease, dialysis and transplant awareness for over 13 years. She was born with a rare genetic disorder called “renal coloboma” that affected both her vision and kidney function. Her journey really began when her kidneys failed completely at the age of 25. She was on dialysis for 10 years (she alternated between in-clinic and home peritoneal and hemodialysis). In 2018, she received a kidney transplant! Kristi now devotes her spare time to participating in studies devoted to better access, outreach and education for CKD patients. In 2020, She participated in a national kidney disease advocacy day in Washington, DC (virtually) where she spoke to members of Congress and successfully compelled them to support the “Better Kidney Care” act which allows continued immunosuppressant medication Medicare coverage for transplant patients who have exceeded the 3 year post-transplant coverage maximum. Kristi hopes to keep making an impact in the CKD community. She is thrilled to be a valuable board member of Odd Kidneys!
Sam Jekel, RN, BSN
help@oddkidneys.org
Sam has been a registered nurse since 2016. She received her BSN from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in August 2020. Sam has extensive experience working with ESRD patients in the clinical dialysis setting, as well as in the emergency department. Becoming a transplant coordinator was more than just a career goal, it is something she feels truly passionate about. Due to polycystic kidney disease, five of her family members have received kidney transplants and are now living normal lives. In December 2018 Sam herself became a living donor to her cousin. As a nurse, transplant coordinator, and a living donor, she says she now has a special perspective of the transplant process. Sam serves on the Board of Directors for Odd Kidneys.
Leslie Stoehr, Chief Caregiver
help@oddkidneys.org
Leslie has served so many others, that filling the role of caregiver is a natural fit. For Leslie, being a caregiver means combining four parts: one part compassion, one part advocate, one part “make it happen,” and one part enforcer.
Outside of serving Odd Kidneys, Leslie is the Owner/Creator of LMStoehr Designs, a home decor and fashion brand. She is married to Odd Kidneys Co-President Brad Stoehr and they have two kiddos, Stella Rese and Miller Patrick.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina and an Alumna of Delta Zeta’s Beta Delta chapter, Leslie learned leadership skills that she now applies to her business and community.