Rindee has been battling kidney disease since she was only 16. She’s endured years of dialysis, two failed transplants, countless doctor visits, and dreams of the day she can work full-time again, travel, and simply go swimming without worry. Right now, she spends hours every week tethered to a dialysis machine just to stay alive.
Right now, Xinfan 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 he waits, my worry is that his health may decline even more. But despite everything he’s going through, Xinfan’s hope for a better future remains so strong. That’s something truly special about him.
My friend John has been battling kidney disease for years. He’s on dialysis three times a week, which leaves him drained and unable to work, but through it all, he continues to show incredible strength and hope. John is more than just a patient—he’s a devoted husband to Kamille, a loving dad to two boys, and a son who treasures time with his mother.
Living donation isn’t just about saving my life; it’s also about giving the donor something that can change their life too — a sense of purpose. As someone who has been living with kidney disease for years, I know the toll it takes. But I also understand that the gift of a living kidney transplant will mean more than just a medical procedure for me — it will give me a chance to live fully again, to be there for my family, and to feel alive in a way dialysis can’t provide.
For those of us living with kidney disease, the ultimate gift is not just a transplant—it’s the opportunity for a longer, healthier life. When a kidney recipient like myself receives a living donor kidney, the benefits extend far beyond just the transplant surgery. In fact, studies show that recipients with a living donor tend to have a longer life expectancy than those who receive kidneys from deceased donors.
HOPE – it’s a word I hold onto every single day. When you’re living with kidney disease, hope becomes the light that guides you through the toughest moments. For the past several years, I’ve been battling chronic kidney disease. Despite making significant lifestyle changes and receiving support from my incredible family, my kidney function continues to decline. Dialysis is creeping closer, and the reality of waiting for a transplant weighs heavily on me.
It’s never easy to ask for help, especially when the request is so deeply personal. Ryan has been battling kidney disease for over 7 years, 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, Ryan is one of over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. It can take years to find a match, and while he waits, my worry is that his health may continue to decline.
In the U.S., there are currently over 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. The waitlist is long, and it can take years before a deceased donor kidney becomes available. Unfortunately, many people on the list become sicker as time goes on, making the wait even harder.
When you donate a kidney, you’re not just giving someone a new chance at life — you’re giving them a future. As a mother of three, my dream is to feel like myself again, to have the energy to chase after my kids, and to live without the constant exhaustion and limitations that dialysis brings. With a kidney transplant, I can have that second chance. It’s my opportunity to live a full, healthy life again.
Living kidney donation is not just a medical act, it’s a powerful act of purpose. The recipient gets the ultimate gift: the chance to live longer, healthier, and more freely. But donors often say the experience changes their lives, too. They walk away knowing they saved someone’s life and made a lasting impact on a family, a future, and a community.
