Right now, Rindee is one of over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a kidney transplant. But did you know the wait can be cut dramatically if a living donor steps forward? Even more amazing—when someone donates a kidney, their remaining kidney actually grows to handle all the work alone.
People sometimes assume that becoming a living donor means a long, difficult recovery, but the truth is, the surgery usually takes just a few hours. Most donors are walking the same day, and many return to normal activities within 2–6 weeks. According to the National Kidney Foundation, donors often describe it as one of the most meaningful things they’ve ever done — and many say they’d do it again if they could.
I’m registered with the University of Utah Health, and the best path forward for me is a transplant. A living donor would not only shorten my wait—it would give me a chance to get back to life. I’d be able to spend more time with my wife, Kamille, and our two boys. We’d have the freedom to travel again, and I could feel more like me.
One of the most common myths I hear is that it takes months to recover from living kidney donation. I
I was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1986. In 2022, I started dialysis, and while it keeps me alive, it’s exhausting. I’ve been actively hoping for a living donor because it offers the best chance for a longer, healthier life. But finding someone who is both willing and medically able is incredibly hard. Even when people step forward, many are disqualified during testing due to health concerns or incompatibility. It’s a process that takes time, patience, and hope.
There’s a myth out there that dialysis is better than a kidney transplant, but I want to share why that’s simply not true. Dialysis can keep me alive, but it doesn’t give me the freedom and quality of life I need. I’m on peritoneal dialysis, and while it’s helping my body function, it’s exhausting, limiting, and disruptive. I have to plan my entire day around it.
The idea of receiving a kidney from a living donor fills me with hope, not just for myself, but for everyone who is struggling with kidney disease. It represents the incredible generosity and compassion of another person who is willing to give the gift of life. This transplant could give me back the energy and health I’ve lost, and allow me to continue being there for my family and loved ones.
#generosity is a word that truly resonates with me as I reflect on the kindness and selflessness of those who choose to donate a kidney. A transplant isn’t just about receiving an organ, it’s about receiving the gift of life. The generosity of living donors is beyond measure, as they don’t just give an organ, they give someone the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier life.
Ken is a wonderful person who has faced countless challenges with unwavering strength and a positive attitude. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) at the age of 34, Ken has worked hard to manage his health, despite the daily toll the disease takes on his energy and well-being. He is typically exhausted, battling nausea, low energy, and swelling, which makes even the simplest tasks, like helping his wife Cheryl with chores, more difficult. Despite these struggles, Ken remains optimistic about the future.
Kathie is a resilient, caring person who has spent her life giving to others, from decades of teaching children to supporting her family through some incredibly tough times. Kathie’s health has faced many challenges, and in 2023, she was officially placed on the kidney transplant list.
