Xinfan H

Living with kidney disease has meant learning resilience in ways I never imagined. It’s not only the physical challenges—the endless treatments, the fatigue—it’s also the things I’ve had to miss.

Every day, I am reminded of how fragile and precious life is while I wait for the gift that could change everything: a kidney from a living donor. One of the most powerful parts of living donation is how awareness creates action. When more people learn that they can be living donors, more lives are saved. It’s not just statistics—it’s real people like me, hoping for another chance at health, family moments, and everyday life without the constant shadow of illness.

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. Sadly, many people on that list grow sicker as time goes on — and that’s what worries me most for my dear friend, Xinfan.

The idea of someone stepping forward to become my living kidney donor is the ultimate #gift. It’s more than just a procedure — it’s a chance to return to work, ease the burden on my wife, and feel like myself again. It’s hope. It’s more time. It’s the possibility of laughing without fear, planning a future, and giving back to others the way I used to.

Most people are born with two kidneys, but we only need one healthy kidney to live a long, full life. In fact, thousands of people are born with just one and never even realize it. And every year, about 6,000 people in the U.S. choose to donate one of their kidneys while they’re still alive — saving lives like mine in the process.

The waitlist for a kidney transplant can take five years or more — and for someone like me, that wait feels like an eternity. I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease in January 2022, and since then, my life has changed completely. Dialysis keeps me going, but it also drains me physically and emotionally. Some days, it feels like I’ve lost the part of me that once loved helping others and being active in the world.

I have learned that strength does not mean doing everything on your own. It means accepting help when you need it and knowing that you are not alone in your struggle. I am surrounded by people who care and that gives me hope. That gives me courage.

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.