Living kidney donation is safe, and the vast majority of donors go on to lead long, healthy lives. In fact, many kidney donors have said they would donate again if they could. After donating, the remaining kidney adapts and grows in size to take over the work of both kidneys. The body is remarkable in its ability to adjust, and donors often report feeling just as healthy as they did before.
The wait for a kidney transplant feels endless, and for me, it’s filled with a constant sense of fear and uncertainty. I’ve been on peritoneal dialysis for over a year now, and while I’m in generally good health, my kidney function has declined significantly, leaving me feeling like time is slipping away. The idea of waiting years for a donor I have no control over is overwhelming.
But despite the uncertainty, there’s a glimmer of hope. The idea of finding a living kidney donor keeps me going. Unlike the long wait for a deceased donor, a living donor means a better chance at a quicker recovery and a brighter future. It’s not just about receiving a kidney—it’s about regaining my life. A living donor can give me the opportunity to be there for my family, to help my wife who has her own health struggles, and to get back to work without the constant fatigue and limitations.
The wait for a kidney transplant feels like an endless cycle of fear and uncertainty. I’ve been living with chronic kidney disease for over two decades, and now that I’m on dialysis, every day feels like a challenge. Dialysis takes up so much of my time—my evenings are spent hooked up to machines, leaving little energy for the things I love, especially spending quality time with my two young sons.
I’ve been living with kidney disease for over 25 years. In 1998, I experienced complete kidney failure. My mom gave me the most selfless #gift I could have ever received—one of her kidneys. That transplant gave me nearly 25 beautiful, healthy years. It let me live a fuller life, spend time with my husband, and simply be me.
I was only 16 when I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Since then, I’ve been through dialysis three separate times and two transplants that didn’t last. Right now, I’m tethered to dialysis three days a week, each session draining hours from my life and energy from my body. A living donor offers the best hope of a longer-lasting transplant—and a second chance at the life I’ve been fighting for.
It’s never easy to ask for help—especially when the request is as personal as this. My friend Deon has been living with the effects of Lupus since 2005, and by the time doctors discovered the impact on her kidneys, the damage was already severe. In 2021, Deon entered renal failure. She’s been on the transplant list since 2022, hoping to find a living kidney donor and avoid the harsh toll of dialysis.
Michael is more than a patient — he’s a devoted husband to Tracey, a father to four, and a proud grandfather to 11 amazing grandkids. He’s also a veteran who enlisted in the military at 17 and served our country for nine years. He has always given to others. Now, he needs someone to step forward for him.
It’s never easy to ask for help, especially when the request is so deeply personal. Amanda has been battling kidney disease since 2021, facing the daily challenges of this illness and all that it brings—fatigue, uncertainty, and the weight of a future that depends on finding a living kidney donor. Currently, Amanda is one of over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant. It can take years to find a match, and while she waits, my worry is that her health will only continue to decline. But despite all the hurdles she’s faced, the one thing that remains unwavering is her hope for a better future. I’m hopeful, too.
Waiting for a kidney transplant is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to face. Every day, I deal with the uncertainty and the physical toll of living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The exhaustion, nausea, and swelling are constant reminders of how much my health has declined. It’s hard to watch life go on while feeling like I’m just barely keeping up. I know there are many things beyond my control in this process, and it’s tough to wait for something that could change my life.