Simon L

I often find myself thinking about what it would mean to receive a kidney transplant, and the word that keeps coming to mind is #thankyou. It’s hard to truly express what it feels like to be given the chance at a new life—a chance to be there for my family, to be present for my sons, and to feel healthy again. Receiving a kidney from a living donor would be more than just a medical procedure; it would be a gift of hope, a second chance, and a reminder of the kindness that exists in this world.

This is a common misconception. The truth is, most people only need one healthy kidney to live a normal, active life. In fact, thousands of people are born with just one kidney or donate one and go on to live full, healthy lives.

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.

Waiting for a kidney transplant is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. There are so many unknowns in this journey, so many things that are beyond my control. Every day feels like a mix of uncertainty and hope, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what has kept me going, what makes this long road a little more bearable, is the incredible support I’ve received from my family, friends, and community.

Fact: “Imagine if more people chose to be living kidney donors — we could remove so many people from the

Support doesn’t have to be about giving something huge. A kind word, spreading the word, or simply learning more about my story helps more than you can imagine. Every little action gets me closer to finding the person who can change my life.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has shared my story and helped spread the word about my need for a living kidney donor. A special thank you to those who have stepped forward—your willingness to even consider donation means more to me than I can express.