My name is Katarina, and I am asking for your help to save my life. I am on the kidney transplant list in California.

I am an immigrant from Armenia. I have a family- a husband a a daughter, as well as 2 pets- a cat and a dog. I have a PhD in Economics from Armenia, evaluated into PhD here in the U.S. I am fluent in 3 languages, love animals, love visiting museums with my daughter and singing.

My kidneys initially failed because of diabetes that I had since the age of 14. I got a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant in 2013. Since then, my pancreas has been working, so I am not a diabetic anymore. However, the kidney failed because of the BK virus. According to the doctors, all people have a BK virus that is inactive or dormant. However, after the transplant, patients must take immunosuppresants, which suppress natural immunity and cause the BK virus to wake up. This virus attacks only the kidneys in the body- That's how my transplant failed and I had to go back to dialysis. Luckily, the transplant doctor assured me that the BK virus doesn't hurt the repeat transplant, because the patient's body already learned to resist it. So now, my repeat transplant is expected to be very successful.

I basically live every other day when I am not on dialysis, because on dialysis days I completely fall out of life. In the morning, I go to dialysis for 3.5 hours. Dialysis makes me week and sleepy. After dialysis all I can do is just drag myself home, get on the nearest couch and sleep all day long, not because I like sleeping, but because I have no energy to do anything else. I can't spend time with my family, friends or pets just because I don't have energy to do it. I used to be a very good tutor of Math, Economics, ACT and SAT, but I can no longer tutor my favorite students, because I have no energy or ability to concentrate. Sometimes I try to help my own daughter with her classes, but I get tired and worn out very soon. Please, help me get my life back!

The wait time in California is very long, much longer than in other states. some patients die before they get a chance to approach the top of the wait list. Some patients deteriorate, meaning they get new diseases.that disqualify them from being a transplant candidate. The transplant doctors claim that a living donor's kidney has better and longer survival rates than the ones from cadaver donors. I am compatible with any blood type.

The most difficult part of waiting for a transplant is imaginina all the things I could be doing if I were not on dialysis.

The first step is to contact my transplant center using the information in the box below. The entire process is strictly confidential and medical costs are covered by my insurance. Please review existing Living Donor Benefits to determine which apply to you. If you are not eligible for a tax credit, I can reimburse for donation related expenses as permissible by law. In addition, the American Transplant Foundation has financial assistance available to cover any lost wages while you donate for those who are eligible after donation.  

After my transplant, I hope to go back to work and start a new career in another field. Maybe screenplay writing, finance, or doing both at the same time- Trust me, I will have enough energy to do it. I hope to travel more and discover new exciting places here in the U.S. as well as worldwide.

All I can share with a potential donor is my admiration and appreciation. Not everyone is ready to give a life saving gift to another person, even to their closest relative or friend. If you are one of those people who want to sacrifice their organ to someone in need, admiration is the least you can expect from your recipient, their family and all the people who hear about what you have done.

Thank you for considering saving my life.  

With deep gratitude,  

Katarina