“I pray that God will give me more years to celebrate each and every passing day being a kind human being, helping others, and being a positive presence in this world.”

Cheryl

In Need of a Kidney Donor

 

My name is Cheryl, and I am asking for your help to save my life.

I am on the kidney transplant list. 

I was born and raised in Southeast Texas but have called Colorado home for over 50 years.  I graduated from CU Denver, married and together me and my husband, Hugh, of 47 years raised two children in Colorado in a very active family.  We are now semi-retired and have 3 young grandchildren (5,4,and 1) – in Austin and Chicago.

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.  With this diagnosis came issues with my kidneys which caused severe damage and put me on dialysis.  The good news is that after cancer treatment, I have been in remission for over a year.  The doctors are very positive about my long-term outlook with this cancer.

I am strong and otherwise in good health – which makes me a good candidate for a kidney transplant.  I have been on dialysis for 2 years, and while I am grateful as it keeps me alive, it is a very demanding process.  The wait for a kidney can be several years which is why finding a living donor is the most important step in making that transplant possible. There is a window when this is most successful and now is that time!

I was blessed as a very healthy person all my life and was looking forward to retirement to continue to enjoy that healthy life style and be with my grandchildren….to be a part of their lives.  And to spend these later years doing fun things with my husband who is 9 years older than I am.  He is very healthy at this time so now is the time to do these things. He has been wonderful in taking care of me; but this has affected his life also.  I am now the one that can’t do something.  I try not to hold him back!  Life is so precious and I am very grateful for the wonderful life I have had.  

A living kidney donation will change my life much sooner and with much better results.  I could get back to my active life with my family and be there as my grandchildren grow up.  I’m looking for someone who might consider becoming a living donor – someone healthy and willing share their spare.  It’s a very big decision and I completely understand how personal this is.

 
 

  • Step 1

    I am currently listed at two transplant centers. These two are Denver’s world-class, well-known transplant centers; however, the second center listed has a donor age restriction of 70 years.  Therefore, the first center listed may be more applicable to you, as it does not have a donor age restriction.  In any case, you may try one and, based on the results, you may try the other. It is common for centers to have different donor requirements. Please complete my Transplant Center’s Screening Form to see if you are eligible to donate or call 303-778-1955. You can also complete my other Transplant Center Screening Form. Please call this number for the second transplant center: 720-848-0855.

    Both centers have access to a Paired Donation Exchange: a unique alternative.  Not everyone who wants to become a living donor will be the best match for their recipient.  When that happens, the paired donation exchange program provides another option.

    Paired donation matches you with a recipient and another donor and recipient in a similar situation.  By exchanging donors, this program can find compatible matches for both recipients.  If you are notified that you are not a match and are interested in this alternative program, ask the transplant team for more information.

I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers as I have no immediate family that can donate. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties.

The most difficult part of waiting for a transplant is not knowing what the future holds. The first step is to contact my transplant center using the information in the box above. The entire process is strictly confidential and medical costs are covered by my insurance. 

Please review existing Living Donor Benefits/Rights to determine which apply to you.

Thank you for considering saving my life.  

With deep gratitude,

Cheryl