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

I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, a slow progressing kidney disease, when I was 17 years old.  I received a living donor transplant from my brother when I was 27.  Over these past 25 years, I have made it a point to live a healthy lifestyle -- eating well and exercising regularly, but unfortunately, my kidney has finally succumbed to end stage renal failure.  I am currently on the transplant waitlist and am starting dialysis in November 2021.

I am a recently widowed, and now single mom balancing full-time work while raising two kids. During these next 8 years, I wish and hope I can be as fully engaged with my two children as they move into adulthood, but I am worried about the physical and mental strain of dialysis along with other responsibilities that will make it difficult for me. I work hard to stay healthy and fit, and love being active with my kids. Activities I enjoy are running, snowboarding, yoga, gardening, hiking, trying new foods and traveling. I feel it is important to give back to the community and to do good.

At the age of 51, I’m at a transitional age where I still feel young and healthy enough to live a fully active life, where I want to continue to be role model to my kids and to be actively involved in their lives and the community at large.  I know that through a living donation, it will give me a better chance to have a good quality of life and a kidney that may possibly last longer, hopefully through the rest of my life.

I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family available to donate. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties. No waiting and wondering while my body continues to weaken.

Thank you for saving my life.

Nancy