Welcome to Juan Thread! I’m Juan Longoria, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share my journey with you. This company sprouted from a blend of necessity and a dash of humor as I navigate the rollercoaster of a medical condition that flipped my world upside down.

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Picture this: I was all set to start a new job when I decided to go for a routine checkup. Little did I know, I’d be directed to the ER and end up hospitalized for two weeks! It was there that I was diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy, a rapidly progressive kidney condition that caused a decade’s worth of damage in just one year. Now I’m on dialysis, and my carefree life has morphed into a new adventure full of challenges. Not exactly the “adulting” I had envisioned after graduating from Texas Tech University!

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I was picturing game nights with friends, joining in on workplace banter with new colleagues, and making money to support myself while helping my parents. I had dreams of traveling to festivals, savoring new culinary dishes in New Orleans, and maybe even meeting “The One.” I wanted to enjoy my hobbies of drawing and leatherworking, not face end-of-life decisions! Who's the jokester now? How did I go from just getting started to contemplating my exit? Okay, very funny… the punchline is over, right? I should be able to indulge in a juicy hamburger with fries and ketchup without a care in the world! I should get to work a 9-to-5 like everyone else, right? Wrong!

Now my days revolve around dialysis three times a week. It's a game of weight loss and gain—too much here, not enough there. Is there sodium in that? What about potassium? Can I eat that? How much liquid have I had today? Did I even pee today? Some days I feel weak; my hands shake uncontrollably, and cramping hits like a freight train. How did I end up here? This isn’t the plan I signed up for!

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But through the love and support of my amazing family, friends, and community, I’m steadily finding my way to a new normal. I have my good days and tough days, but the encouragement from those around me fuels my determination to rise above it all. This journey sparked the creation of Juan Thread. Growing up, I often heard, “Which Juan?” or was affectionately called “Juan in a Million” by my favorite teacher. My Latino heritage adds a playful twist to my name, turning “One” into “Juan.” For someone who loves to joke around, it made perfect sense to go with Juan Thread.

 

The name reflects the strong threads that weave together to create something beautiful—much like the supportive community that has come together to lift me up. One thread alone might not seem strong, but when woven together, they create a robust fabric. Our DTF transfers embody this spirit, binding high-quality products infused with love, laughter, and resilience.

At Juan Thread, every purchase helps fund my kidney treatment, and together, we can spread awareness about kidney health. Thank you for being a part of this adventure with me!