01/09/2026
I have had the pleasure of meeting Tiffany and she is a wonderful human. I know money is especially tight these days, but if you're moved to support her in this journey please do. Her surgery is only in a couple weeks! We are all in this together and needless to say donating a kidney is such a noble cause. Any amount will be helpful for her and her family. ♥️
💛 A Personal Update & GoFundMe Announcement 💛
I wanted to take a moment to share something deeply personal that some of you may not yet know.
In September 2024, I began the process to become a living kidney donor. It was a decision made thoughtfully and with intention — one rooted in the belief that if we are able to help another human being live a fuller, healthier life, it is worth pursuing. — Months of blood work, testing, CT Scans, x-rays, Ultrasounds and seeing a psychiatrist followed to make sure I was healthy enough to donate (spoiler... super healthy, I have beautiful organs lol).
By June 2025, I entered the waiting and matching stage of the process, this can take awhile as the program I am matches 6 donors to 6 recipient. Followed by mom's open heart surgery, and taking care of her through recovery... I had to miss 2 runs (where they pair people) because I knew where I was needed at that moment!
In November, I was tentatively matched with a recipient. More blood work, and me calling to make sure I was getting updated quickly.
And on Christmas Eve, I received the phone call confirming my surgery date: January 28, 2026.
I will be donating my kidney to someone who is incredibly excited to receive it — a person who is being given a renewed chance at life. Knowing this has been both humbling and profoundly meaningful. - we get to write a letter to one another but cannot share our names as this is anonymous.
However this surgery requires time away from work to heal properly, 8 weeks to be precise.
I have created a GoFundMe to help support my family and cover basic living expenses during recovery. My goal is to raise $10,000, which — along with child tax — will help offset lost income while I am unable to work.
I will be off work from January 23 to March 28, and will then return part-time as I rebuild my strength and stamina.
During this time, I will primarily be working in clinic, though I will still travel to clients who have their own massage table.
I am already so grateful for the kindness and support that has been shown — through small donations, purchases from What the Fizz, seated chair massage support, and quiet acts of encouragement.
None of this goes unnoticed, and all of it is deeply appreciated.
I will continue to share updates so there is transparency around where funds are going and what stage of recovery I am in.
If you are able to donate or share the GoFundMe, thank you.
If you are not, your support in any form — even simply reading this — means more than you know.
There are many exciting things ahead in 2026, but this step comes first. Thank you for being part of my community and for allowing me to share this journey with you.
💛 GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/9ed8052b9
Tiffany Santos 🌿
