Living with kidney disease has required more resilience than I ever thought I had. It’s not just the physical challenges—the fatigue, the medications, the constant monitoring—it’s the mental and emotional weight that comes with it. There are days I’ve had to miss out on family activities because I was too exhausted, and moments at work I couldn’t fully give my best because my body was running on empty.
When I think about what I’m asking for—a living kidney donor—it’s hard to put into words. I know how big of an ask it is. It’s not just about giving me a kidney; it’s about giving me a future. A living donor could quite literally save my life.
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 that list grow sicker with each passing day—and that’s what makes the wait so heartbreaking.
Sometimes the most meaningful way to #makeadifference is by helping one person in a life-changing way. I’m currently in need of a living kidney donor, and I’m sharing my story in the hope that someone out there might be that one match who can give me the chance to live a healthier life.
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.
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Living with chronic illness has changed my life in ways I never imagined. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2005, and by the time doctors figured out what was happening inside my body, the damage to my kidneys was already severe. In 2021, I was officially diagnosed with renal failure. After endless tests and appointments, I was placed on the transplant list in 2022, and today, I wait—hoping for the gift of a kidney.
Living with kidney disease has been one of the hardest challenges of my life — physically, emotionally, and mentally. Every day comes with its own obstacles, and though I try to meet them with strength, the truth is: I can’t do this alone.
I’m advocating for Deon in her search for a living kidney donor. Deon has been struggling with kidney disease for years, and a living donor is her best path forward to a healthier, more vibrant life. She means so much to me, and I’m doing everything I can to help her get the life-saving transplant she needs.
The physical strain of kidney disease is something I deal with every day, and the wait for a transplant only makes it harder. It’s a long and exhausting journey, and for many people like me, the waiting period stretches into years. Kidney disease takes its toll on every aspect of life, from physical strength to mental and emotional well-being.