Help Jean-Claude get a kidney transplant

Please help us raise funds for our beloved friend, teacher, and choreographer of African dance, Jean Claude Lessou. Jean Claude has suffered for years with kidney disease and has waited 6 years for a kidney transplant. He has finally been notified to prepare for the transplant, but needs to raise $8,000 to pay for the surgery.

Born and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa, Jean Claude has been dancing professionally since the age of 15. When he was in his 20s, he made the United States his home and has spent the last 15 years in Austin bringing together the African drum and dance community, working regularly with high schools and dance studios, and choreographing professional and student performances. He also is the founder, lead singer, and songwriter of his band System Positif, which plays regularly in Austin.

While dealing with his kidney failure and dialysis twice a week for years, he has never stopped teaching, performing, and enriching our lives with his talent and knowledge. He has given us so much joy, and we would like to show our love and thanks to him by helping him raise the $8,000 necessary to give him back his health so he can continue doing what he loves most.

Please help us with this most worthy cause and give generously, so that Jean Claude may continue to contribute to Austin’s artistic environment for years to come.

Merci beaucoup pour tout, Jean Claude!