In the year 2000, I was diagnosed with liver cancer. Following numerous rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, I eventually required a liver transplant in 2015, which thankfully was successful. However, the side effects of the chemotherapy and anti-rejection medication led to significant damage to my kidneys, resulting in renal failure. The wait time for a Type O kidney is estimated to be around 5-7 years. A suitable living donor is someone who is in good overall health, well-informed, and willingly decides to donate one of their kidneys. They should be a non-smoker, free from major health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, specific cancers, kidney disease, heart disease, or hepatitis. Donors can reside in any state and all medical expenses will be covered by my health insurance. I have been happily married for 40 years and am blessed with two adult children and two adorable grandsons, aged 3 and 4. My family has been a pillar of support throughout my journey, and the delight of my life that keeps me going every day is watching my grandsons grow. Becoming an organ donor is a profound way to offer the precious gift of life to someone in need. If you are interested in learning more about living donations, please visit the National Kidney Foundation's page on becoming a living donor at https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/becoming-living-donor. For any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to me via email at kidney4gwen@gmail.com
