In his freshman and sophomore seasons, Ja’Mariion “JD” Palm appeared to be on the fast track to a professional basketball career. He began garnering national attention as one of the players to watch for the Class of 2025, and he played for McEachern, a program known for producing top NCAA and NBA talent for the last decade or more.

When recurring headaches and blood pressure spikes couldn’t be ignored and began to affect his playing during the 2022-23 season, the Palm family knew something was wrong. JD’s grandmother died in 2020 from kidney disease at the age of 55. She spent most of her time in bed and had to undergo regular dialysis. 

“She was diagnosed when she was 34, and my mother tells me that one year she was fine, and the next year her legs and arms started swelling because her kidneys started to fail,” JD said in an article he wrote last year for Andscape. “Watching her suffer, I felt sorry for her. She never walked, and she was always in bed. Sometimes, I really didn’t want to be around her because I loved her so much, and it was hard seeing her the way she was.”

When JD arrived at the emergency room, his blood pressure was sky-high, and the staff immediately admitted him. After running several tests and a biopsy, the results came back with a familiar diagnosis: kidney disease. JD had FSGS, or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease where scar tissue prevents the kidneys from properly filtering the blood.

NBA players Alonzo Mourning and Sean Elliott were also similarly diagnosed with FSGS. Neither knew they had it until it became impossible to ignore. Both Mourning and Elliott received kidney transplants and now use their experience to encourage and help others, like JD, who are in desperate need of a transplant. JD recently had both of his kidneys removed and is undergoing daily dialysis while he awaits a transplant.

“The good news is that his mother is a match,” said McEachern Head Coach Tremayne Anchrum. “Hopefully, in the next few months, she’ll be able to donate her kidney to her son.”

Candice Palm has been by her son’s side every step of the way. She moved her family here from Dothan, Alabama, to give JD a better opportunity with basketball. She has two other children and has had to take a leave of absence from work to be with JD during this time.

“I’m a single mom of three and always a mother first in everything I do; without them, I’m nothing,” Ms. Palm said emotionally. “With so much excitement about being able to give my son a kidney, I still feel helpless to my other kids, and the possibility of not being able to provide for them while doing so is terrifying. I’m so thankful and appreciative of anything that will help my little family on this journey to bring my son back to the things he loves.”

“He was the 11th-ranked player in the country and a surefire McDonald’s All-American. He lost nearly two years, and his ranking has dropped, but he has learned who his true alliances are. He’s made relationships with Alonzo Mourning and Sean Elliott, and we’re going to connect him with the American Kidney Association so he can be an advocate for them,” Coach Anchrum said.

“As we all know, the healthcare industry is expensive, but I really need them to come through for JD. This family needs your prayers and your donations if you can give them,” Coach Anchrum said somberly. “You’ll never see JD and not be greeted with a smile, even with all he’s going through. At the end of the day, I want to make sure he has everything he needs.”

Cobb families can help the Palm family by donating to JD’s GoFundMe campaign. Daily dialysis and a transplant operation will incur significant medical bills, and the family could use all the love and support they can get. Thanks for all you do, Cobb Schools community!