Stories of Hope
Kidney patients
The Cullen family: Celebrating National Donate Life Month
The Cullen family talk about how living donation saved their daughter’s life.
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My real life hero
My real life hero is my mother because she not only raised me to be the man I am today, but she saved my life. I love her so much and I wouldn’t have the life that I do today had it not been for her caring and generous heart.
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Above and Beyond Friendship
We spent over twenty years as friends, so I knew she was special, but this goes above and beyond friendship. She’s our angel, sent to teach me how to be strong before I ever knew why I would need it. I’m happy to report Addy and Natalie successfully went through transplant 10/10/18!! Both are doing exceptionally well and have inspired so many around them more than they may ever know! Natalie, you are amazing, and we love you so much!
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4-Time Kidney Recipient Giving Back
I am a 4-time kidney transplant recipient who has been giving back ever since my first transplant. I was born in 1976 with kidney disease and my kidney function was only 10% for the first 10 years of my life. When I was 10 my health declined and it was decided I...
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Solitary Kidney Siblings
Eight years ago, my brother Josh, who was 19 at the time, donated his kidney to my Dad at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It was a miracle how well the transplant worked. My sister, Hannah, and I were so inspired by what we saw that we knew one day, we wanted to be...
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My second chance, thanks to an organ donor!
I received a kidney on February 5, 2019 from a young deceased organ donor. My donor and their family has given a second chance at life to a daughter, granddaughter, niece, aunt, friend, wife and mother. Words can't even express the gratitude my family and I have for...
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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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Be more
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...
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Brendon Dix of Albuquerque, NM
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...
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Barbara Craycraft of Franklin, OH
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...
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Heather Hazlett of Waxhaw, NC
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...
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Kathryn Smith of Miami, FL
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...
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