Janice Laverne Starling-Williams Journey.

Janice Starling is the 5^theldest child out of 6 siblings of the late Mr. Jimmy Lee Sr. and Mrs. Viola Starling of St. Petersburg, FL. As a child, Janice was extremely active and loved school with her whole heart. She was a cheerleader and the apple of her dad’s eye who would escort her around to several events and competitions. Her family has owned and operated Starling School and Day Care Center Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida since 1974 and for over 40 years, Janice has been a part of this legacy. She has experienced great joy from being in the position to influence our youth and future leaders. Her journey has led her to be a part of the dynamic educational processes, procedures, and growth development of many children within the community for over 45 years.

Janice graduated from Dixie Hollins High in 1982. She received her BA in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Nova University in 1993. In 2001, she received her MBA from the University of Phoenix. In addition to that, Janice has three years of college studies from Life Christian University at Word of Life Fellowship Church campus.  She is currently completing her Biblical Studies degree.

Janice started her first Public School teaching assignment at Madeira Beach Elementary from 1993-1995. After her mother’s home going, Janice had a change of heart and decided to go back to work for the family business at Starling School and Day Care Center Inc. In the year 2000, Janice faced a medical emergency that would change her life forever. She had no clue that she would become a dialysis patient for the next 14 years of her life. While under the care of her primary care physician, Janice began to suffer from kidney failure which was caused by hypertension. In 2002, while learning Peritoneal Dialysis, her ambition, dedication, and support for the youth opened the door to be appointed to the Pinellas County School Board for one year during the Governor Jeb Bush term. In subsequent years, her doctor noticed calcium in her milk ducts during an annual examination. Her only option was to have an immediate left mastectomy, which is surgery to remove her left breast tissue from her chest as a way to treat or prevent breast cancer.

After the mastectomy, nothing was found; however, the surgeon mistakenly left a capillary blood vessel open which resulted in 30 plus blood transfusions. This unexpected affliction decreased her chances of receiving a kidney transplant. She had gone through all modalities of dialysis during her 14 years which included Peritoneal, in Center, and Home Hemo /Nocturnal dialysis. Her late husband, Michael G. Williams was the best caregiver she could ever have. He is also listed in the Gibb’s High School Hall of Fame for achieving the highest points in a basketball game. On December13, 2013 she was blessed with a kidney and underwent transplant surgery.  It is now 6 years and 4 months later and Janice is happy and healthy as can be. Janice’s lifetime goals consist of bringing about continued awareness, education, and advocacy about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This is a personal commitment of hers because of her own experiences. She is dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic teaching as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge in children, women, (CKD) ESRD/dialysis patients and all who are willing to learn. This is the reason she founded: All Kidney Patients Support Group. Her favorite motto and scripture is: Romans 8:28 (NK JV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Editors Note: You can find out more about the All Kidney Patients Support Group by clicking the link here All Kidney Patients Support Group (akpsupportgroup.org) to find out what wonderful work that Janice and her team is doing for kidney patients across the nation.