At 37, I never imagined my life would revolve around a machine keeping me alive. For the past year, dialysis has dictated my existence. It keeps me going, but it also keeps me tethered—restricted in ways I never imagined. Every appointment, every treatment, every fluid limit is a constant reminder that my freedom has been taken from me. Before this, I lived life fully. I traveled, explored, and spent time with friends without worrying about scheduling my existence around a machine.
I used to go to parks and beaches, feeling the sun on my skin and the wind in my hair, capturing the world through my camera lens. Photography was more than a hobby—it was a way to freeze moments in time, to tell stories through images. I miss the rush of finding the perfect shot, the excitement of discovering new places without limitations. Renaissance festivals, music festivals, spontaneous road trips with friends—I lived for these experiences, for the joy of being present without the weight of medical constraints.
The hardest part hasn’t just been the physical toll—it’s the emotional weight it carries. My friends have been devastated to see me go through this. They worry about me constantly, and while I appreciate their concern, I long for the day when they can see me living life freely again, without hesitation or limitations. I miss the spontaneity of visiting friends without calculating how far I can go before needing a treatment. I miss planning trips without the looming anxiety of finding a dialysis center in a new city.
Getting a transplant would mean getting my life back. It would mean reclaiming the ability to explore, to experience, and to reconnect. I want to walk through a Renaissance festival again, taking in the scent of roasted turkey legs and the sound of laughter without exhaustion creeping in. I want to sit on the shore, watching the waves roll in without worrying about fluid restrictions. I want to pick up my camera, not just to capture life, but to live it fully.
This journey has been long and difficult, but I hold onto hope. I hold onto the belief that one day, I will be free from this machine and able to live again—not just survive, but truly live.
Why I Need a Kidney
My journey with kidney failure has changed my life in ways I never expected. I first learned I needed a transplant when my nephrologist told me I was in end-stage renal disease—months after I had already started dialysis, still hoping it was just an acute issue. The cause? Undiagnosed diabetes, which I unknowingly lived with for over a decade.
Now, my life revolves around dialysis—three times a week, four hours per session. That’s twelve hours every week tethered to a machine, leaving me drained and exhausted. Just as I start to recover, it’s time for another session. Dialysis keeps me alive, but it’s not a replacement for a kidney. It dictates what I eat, drink, and how much energy I have. It has stolen my freedom.
I used to explore parks and beaches, capturing life through photography. I went to Renaissance fairs, music festivals, and traveled with friends without hesitation. Now, every plan revolves around treatment and whether I’ll have the energy to go.
A transplant isn’t just about survival—it’s about reclaiming my life. It means traveling without mapping out dialysis centers, sitting down for a meal without rationing fluids, and breaking free from exhaustion.
KIDNEY DONATION FACTS:
• Most people only need one kidney to live a healthy life.
• A direct match isn’t necessary. Through the National Kidney Registry (NKR), a donor can donate on my behalf, and I’d receive a compatible kidney in return.
• A donor’s medical costs are covered, and additional protections, like lost wages and lodging, may be available.
HOW TO HELP:
Sharing my story could save my life. Awareness is like throwing a life preserver to someone drowning—you don’t have to jump in to make a difference. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a donor, you can confidentially speak with someone by clicking the “Looking to Donate for…” button.
WHERE TO DONATE:
Donors can be located anywhere. Nearly 100 transplant centers participate in the NKR network, allowing donation at a center near the donor or where I am registered.
Every share, every conversation, every new person who learns about my story brings me one step closer to getting my life back.
How You Can Help
By sharing my story to your group of family and friends, you help to increase the number of people who may consider kidney donation.
You can also support me and other patients in need of a transplant by being screened to become a kidney donor with the NKR. The process is easy to complete and potential donors have access to the NKR’s nationwide donor support network.
Support & Protections Available to Donors through the National Kidney Registry
- Cost Reimbursement
travel & lodging, lost wages, dependent care
- Kidney Prioritization
in the unlikely event you ever need a kidney
- Voucher Donation
the future of paired exchange
- Remote Donation
avoid air travel for donor evaluation & surgery
- Best Match
maximize the impact of your donation
- Legal Support
fighting termination & discrimination
- Complication Protection
reimbursement for complications costs
- Reduce Wasted Time
streamlined donation process
- Home Blood Draws
eliminate trips to the transplant center
- Help Other Donors
give feedback to improve the process
