In fall 2005, my mother learned that she had chronic renal failure. Her doctor informed her that she would be in need of dialysis or a transplant within 10 years. As a 11 year old, I promised her I would be her donor. This became a reality in 2012, about a year after she began her first round of dialysis. Since then, she has been a warrior. My mother has overcome the hardships of a sudden divorce shortly after becoming sick, followed by the loss of her house. She has struggled to cope in the face of countless other stressors. Despite all of this, she has continued to work with young children as a teacher's aide and tutor, working 2 jobs in order to support herself and continue living life as normally as possible. Her worst plight came in 2016, when she learned, after a string of hospitalizations, that her transplanted kidney was failing. Again began the interminable, lonely dialysis treatments, 3 times a week, 4 hours each. As before, her body does not take well to the procedure and she often leaves feeling ill or unable to drive, but still must always wake up and go to work the following day. My mother's doctors have informed her that she is a very healthy 65 year old, and she could live many more years. Through all she has overcome, she is not ready to stop fighting. We have already exhausted the search within our circle of family and friends, so we are now asking a greater audience to help us find a kidney for my mommy. She has always been my #1 supporter and the person I knew would do anything for me. I want to return the favor and help improve her quality of life, beginning by taking back those hours forfeited to the dialysis center each week. As a living organ donor, now 6 years later, I can testify to the fact that living donation is not a risky choice. My recovery period was only about 3 weeks, and my scars are so small and hidden that you wouldn’t know I was a donor unless I told you. Living donors also receive the privilege of springing to the top of any organ transplant list if they are in need later in life (liver, kidneys, heart, etc). There is little to no reason not to donate, and you could change someone’s life…in this case, that life is my mommy’s. Please help us spread the word and find Kristin a donor. She deserves to live a happy, healthy life. This world is a better place with her in it. You can contact us at kristinskidneyquest@gmail.com or by private messaging the page. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. love & light
