My biggest hope after a transplant is simple: to have the strength and energy to truly live again. To travel with my wife, to work again, to experience the life we’ve dreamed of but had to put on hold. A living donor could make that possible.
A living donor offers the best chance—not only to survive, but to truly live again. A living transplant means better outcomes, a shorter wait, and the possibility of feeling more like myself. It means more time with my family, more opportunities to volunteer, and maybe even returning to teaching, which has always been my passion—even if just part-time.
The wait for a deceased donor can take five years or more. And while I try to stay hopeful, it’s a difficult reality knowing my health may continue to decline during that time. But a living donor could change everything. Living donation offers better outcomes and a faster recovery—and most importantly, it offers time. Time to be a dad, a husband, and to just live again.
If you or someone you know might consider being a living kidney donor, please visit https://giftworksuuh.com/kevina/ to learn more. Even sharing this post helps more than you know.
I’m reaching out to you all in hopes that we can spread the word as far and wide as possible. The more people we can reach, the greater the chances of finding a match for Ryan. Ryan is close to his wife and family, and he dreams of living a normal life where he has more energy and can do the things he loves without feeling worn out. His health has been a struggle, but he remains hopeful and strong in his fight.
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.
