One of the biggest myths I hear is that “your body needs two kidneys to function.” But the truth is — it doesn’t.
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.
My name is Xinfan. I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease in January 2022 and have been on dialysis ever since. Dialysis helps me stay alive, but it’s not a cure. A transplant from a living donor is my best chance to get back to work, take care of my wife, and contribute to society again.
Living donation is incredibly safe. Many donors say they’d do it again if they could, and they go on to live healthy, active lives. The surgery is typically done laparoscopically, recovery times are short, and donors receive thorough health screenings and long-term follow-up care.
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to be a living donor — or just have questions — you don’t need to figure it out alone. Visit my website and complete the short, confidential contact form. A Living Donor Navigator (someone who has donated a kidney themselves) will reach out to walk you through everything. https://giftworksuuh.com/xinfanh/
Thank you for reading — and thank you for caring.
