#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.
Each year, around 6,000 people make the brave decision to donate a kidney. These generous individuals are helping to save lives like mine. Without a living donor, I could wait 5 or more years for a deceased donor transplant—time that I don’t have.
The waitlist for a kidney transplant can be over five years long, and for me, it’s a constant source of fear and uncertainty. It’s hard knowing that my health will keep declining while I wait for a donor that I have no control over. Each day, I feel the toll it takes on my body, mind, and spirit.
But there is hope. The possibility of finding a living kidney donor is what keeps me going. Unlike the long wait for a deceased donor, a living donor offers the promise of better outcomes, faster recovery, and renewed hope for the future. For me, a living donor means the chance to live without the constant fear of my health deteriorating. It means fewer restrictions, less anxiety, and more time with my loved ones.
Living with kidney disease is incredibly hard—but asking for help is even harder. Still, the love and support I’ve received remind me that I’m not alone in this fight.
Living with kidney failure has made everyday tasks feel like monumental challenges. The National Kidney Foundation reports that transplant patients generally experience a far better quality of life than those who remain on dialysis. This fact gives me hope that a transplant could restore my ability to live fully.
Happiness isn’t about how much we have—it’s about the difference we make in the lives of others. Right now, I’m searching for something that means more to me than anything: the chance to have more time with the people I love and less time feeling sick.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has shared my story and supported my search for a living kidney donor. Special thanks to those who have stepped forward—your consideration means more than words can express.
