J. Harrison Ghee shares kidney disease journey and healthy living tips
Fayetteville native J. Harrison Ghee is well-known for award-winning acting and singing, but this National Kidney Month, Ghee is sharing their journey of maintaining healthy living with kidney disease.
According to a news release from the LEPR Agency, Ghee, who uses they/them pronouns, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2022. The E.E. Smith High School graduate has understood the importance of maintaining healthy habits since receiving lab results in November that showed their condition could lead to kidney failure without intervention.
“Kidney disease runs in my family, and although my diagnosis has only been the last few years, I didn’t understand the severity of it. I thought I could manage it by myself,” Ghee said in the release. “After getting test results in November showing that my kidneys weren’t filtering blood properly, I knew I had to make some lifestyle changes for my health.”
The National Kidney Foundation states that about one in three US adults are at risk for kidney disease, and African Americans are among the leading groups at increased risk for developing the disease. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history are all contributing risk factors for kidney disease, the release states.
The 35-year-old performer carries many risk factors related to the disease. Ghee is a diabetic whose dad and grandmothers were on dialysis. Ghee’s mother even underwent a kidney transplant.
Since Ghee’s November health scare, they developed a new health regimen that included working with a personal trainer and nutritionist, which positively changed their kidney function.
“From December to now, my numbers are trending up. My kidney function has increased, and everything is starting to balance,” Ghee said. “With my diet, I’ve been limiting my protein intake to 55 grams daily and monitoring my carbohydrate intake. I’ve reprogrammed how I interact with food. I’ve always loved grocery shopping, but now I closely read nutrition labels and compare products.”
The National Institute of Health states that the following habits are key to kidney health:
- Meet regularly with a healthcare team.
- Aim for a healthy weight.
- Reduce stress.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Manage blood pressure and monitor blood glucose levels.
- Make time for sleep.
Career
Ghee is the first nonbinary actor to win a major entertainment industry award in a leading individual performance category, taking home a Tony for Best Leading Actor for their portrayal of Daphne/Jerry in “Some Like it Hot.” In 2024, Ghee and the cast of “Some Like It Hot” won for Best Musical Theater Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Prior to award-winning performances, Ghee, who graduated from E.E. Smith High School in 2007, moved to New York City and studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. They began their professional career working at Tokyo Disney, on cruise ships and national tours, living by the mantra, “You have to free yourself to see yourself.”
Ghee has also become an outspoken advocate of the LGBTQIA+ community, working with organizations such as Broadway Cares, GLAAD and God’s Love We Deliver.
Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at [email protected].
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