#Hero. That’s the word I think of when I imagine the person who could become my living kidney donor. As a mom, all I want is to be there for my kids—to see them grow, to be present each day, and to live a life full of memories with them. A living kidney donation is more than just a medical procedure; it’s an extraordinary act of love and courage. It’s the ultimate way to save a life. It’s the kind of selflessness that turns someone into a hero.
Did you know that a living donor transplant provides a better chance at recovery and a faster return to a more normal life? For me, receiving a kidney from a living donor means more than just medical treatment. It’s about the opportunity to live without the constant fear of worsening health or limitations.
Most people can’t imagine waiting years for something that means the difference between life and death. But that’s what I’m facing — a wait for a kidney transplant that could take more than five years. It’s a scary, uncertain place to be. Each day, my body reminds me that time is passing, and my health isn’t getting better while I wait for something I can’t control.
As someone waiting for a kidney transplant, I’ve learned a lot about the process—and one of the things that stands out the most is how quick living donor surgery can be. A living kidney donation involves a minimally invasive procedure, which typically takes about 2 to 3 hours. The recovery time for donors is also relatively short, with most people returning to non-strenuous work within 2 weeks.
I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who has taken the time to share my story and help spread the word about
Living with kidney disease has its challenges every day, and the hardest part? Asking for help. It’s not easy to reach out and say, “I need a donor to save my life.” But I’ve come to realize that I’m not alone in this. The support I’ve received from all of you—sharing my story, spreading the word—makes every step of this journey worth it.
It’s true—not everyone can be a kidney donor. But many people can and just don’t know it yet. If you’re in good health, with no major chronic conditions, and meet some basic medical and compatibility requirements, you might be eligible to do something extraordinary: give someone like me a second chance at life.
Each year, around 6,000 people make the brave decision to donate a kidney. These generous individuals are helping to save lives like mine. Without a living donor, I could wait 5 or more years for a deceased donor transplant—time that I don’t have.
Nathan has been living with kidney disease for most of his life, facing the daily challenges that come with it: constant fatigue, medical uncertainty, and the heavy reality of a future that depends on finding a living kidney donor. Since he was a young child, he’s been navigating the ups and downs of kidney disease, learning to live as best as he can with the limitations it brings.
Living with kidney failure often means spending years on a transplant waitlist—years filled with worry, exhaustion, and declining health. The wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor can be 3 to 5 years, depending on where you live. For some, it’s even longer. But a living donor can completely change that story.
