Stories of Hope for Kidney Patients

We can all help

For Kaci Alvarado, an ordinary Saturday of running errands resulted in an extraordinary act of kindness. The last task on her list that day was to have an oil change at a friend’s auto repair shop. While Kaci was there, her friend asked her to proofread a Facebook...

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Kidney, Living donor

On April 2, 2016 Erin and I met and built a one of a kind friendship after being turned down by one hospital to become her organ donor. So passionate about continuing to spread the word on donation and its importance we never let the idea of encouraging others to "be...

Brendon Dix of Albuquerque, NM

Kidney, Liver, Transplant recipient

Brendon’s journey to transplantation was a long journey, indeed, and it is not your “typical” kidney-liver candidate story. He has a rare genetic disorder called Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA), that affects his body’s ability to metabolize protein, and causes acid to...

Barbara Craycraft of Franklin, OH

Kidney, Transplant recipient

At 25, I was a pregnant Type 1 Diabetic. I knew Diabetes would be an issue. The doctor immediately told me my Kidneys would not survive the pregnancy. My baby had an 8% chance of survival and I had a 16% chance. The day after Christmas the doctor called. I needed to...

Heather Hazlett of Waxhaw, NC

Eye, Kidney, Pancreas, Transplant recipient

My path in life took a bit of a twist when I was just 2 years old and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As I grew up I never imagined I would find myself the way I am today. For my incredible miracles because of selfless donation I am forever grateful! In my junior year...

Kathryn Smith of Miami, FL

Intestine, Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Transplant recipient

My story begins my junior year of high school. I was always a healthy child but I suddenly became severely ill at the young age of 17 when doctors diagnosed me with idiopathic autoimmune hepatitis that had left me with only 25% liver function and determined that I...

Dinorah Arambula of Las Vegas, NV

Kidney, Transplant recipient

Life wasn’t easy before my kidney transplant, treatments were painful and tedious sometimes. Years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney disease, due to high blood pressure. At that time didn’t understood exactly what was going on until I was referred to a specialist, and...

Mary Magee-Huth of Channahon, IL

Kidney, Pancreas, Transplant recipient

At age 11 I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, often called juvenile onset diabetes at the time. I was drinking water constantly and losing weight off my already small frame. When the teacher had had it with me asking to go to the bathroom several times each day she...

Gaylene Grossen of Portland, OR

Kidney, Transplant recipient

Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis is the disease which required me to have a kidney transplant. It took me a long time to memorize the name! My disease was diagnosed in February of 1993 and it took until 2009 for me to need to be put onto the transplant waiting...

Kennedy Carter of Mayville, MI

Kidney, Transplant recipient

Diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure secondary to vasculitis. Had dialysis for 18 months then a deceased donor transplant on 10/04/2010. I am 18, a college student, a cheerleader and a transplant recipient. Here's a video I made about my journey, and about becoming a...

Karen Brooks of Seminole, FL

Kidney, Living donor

It has always been just me and my Sister. We were both young teens when Dad was diagnosed with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease). We knew he was sick, and that the disease was hereditary. Since it was just the two of us we made a pact that if one Sister became ill the...

Brian Anderson of Lakewood, CO

Kidney, Transplant recipient

In 2008 my kidneys started to fail. By early 2009 I was on dialysis. Unable to work and tethered to the house and dialysis center, my life felt as though it came to a screeching halt. In 2010 a angel donated her kidney to me and I have not only my life back, but my...