“I just want to be healthy enough to spend time with my family and pursue the volunteer work I was eager to begin. I want to be able to visit my daughter regularly. “

Susan

In Need of a Kidney Donor

My name is Susan, and I am asking for your help to save my life. I am in my early 60s and currently on the kidney transplant list in Virginia.

I have been happily married to my husband for over 40 years, and together we raised a wonderful daughter who is now grown and making her own way in the world. We have lived in the same neighborhood for 25 years and are grateful to be part of a close-knit community. I work as an IT consultant, and in my free time, I enjoy traveling with my husband, especially to cheer on our alma mater, Georgia Tech, at football games. We are active in our church outreach programs, and I find great fulfillment in giving back to others. I was looking forward to retirement and spending more time with family, traveling, and volunteering in meaningful ways. I was planning to visit my daughter, who just moved to a new state, regularly.

I am currently battling Stage 4 kidney failure, the final stage before dialysis. While I have not yet started dialysis, I know that without a transplant, I will soon face the reality of spending hours each day attached to a machine. The wait time for a deceased donor in my area is between 4 to 8 years, which is an incredibly long time to put life on hold. My energy levels are limited, making even small tasks exhausting. I long to return to the life in retirement that I was actively building—traveling with my husband, visiting my daughter often, and dedicating my retirement to volunteer work.

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. I am compatible with any Type A and O blood types. 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 being able to travel to visit my daughter. With a kidney transplant, I hope to be able to see my daughter and spend my time volunteering. 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,

Susan