“A living donor would give me my life back, helping me be a better parent, succeed in my work, and have the energy to live a full and happy life.“

Courtney

In Need of a Kidney Donor

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

I’m a mother of two wonderful boys: Max, who is 19, and Tyler, who is 14. We live in Durango, Colorado, and love spending time together outdoors. Whether it’s snow skiing, waterskiing, biking, kayaking, or rafting the local rivers, we try to make the most of the beautiful place we call home. We also enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and caring for our two dogs, Mila and Moby, and our two cats, Reggie and Rocket.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma. The cancer led to kidney failure, and although I went through 14 months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant that thankfully put the cancer in remission, the damage to my kidneys was permanent. I’ve now been on dialysis for over two years. I do hemodialysis at home overnight, 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, which helps keep me going, but it’s incredibly exhausting.

In January, after taking three years off for treatment, I returned to work as a realtor. Balancing work, parenting, and life while coping with the constant fatigue from kidney failure has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. I want to be present and energetic for my boys again. I want to feel like myself and live life fully.

I understand that donating a kidney is a very personal and significant decision. It’s not something I ask lightly. The idea that someone could offer such a life-changing gift, especially to someone they don’t know, is humbling beyond words. If you were to consider this, please know I would carry your gift with deep gratitude and care. To me, you would be a true hero, and I would be forever thankful for the chance to live a healthier, more active life.

I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family that is able to donate. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties. I am compatible with Type O+ blood type. Even if you do not have the same blood type, you can donate as part of a paired exchange program.

The most difficult part of waiting for a transplant is not knowing what the future holds. I hope to regain the energy and freedom to ski again, travel without hauling medical equipment, and fully enjoy life with my kids and family. 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,

Courtney