Not every teenager feels that every day with a parent is a gift. But as the proud daughter of a man who has lived with kidney disease for as long as I can remember, I do feel that way about my dad.
My dad had his first kidney transplant when I was three years old. His new kidney worked hard for nine years. Six years ago, that kidney began to fail. Dad had to start dialysis five days a week and our family life changed dramatically.

Dad went back on the waiting list for another transplant.  In the meantime, he’s part of a nocturnal home hemodialysis study and the good news is that he is less fatigued and able to continue working full time.

I’m truly grateful to the Kidney Foundation and the people who support them. If it wasn’t for the research funded by them Dad wouldn’t have the treatment options he has now. If it wasn’t for the awareness raised about the urgent need for organ donors, our family wouldn’t have any hope for a second transplant for my dad.

People I meet are often a bit surprised that my dad, and actually our whole family, is so optimistic when it comes to living with a chronic illness.  They say things like: “Isn’t kidney disease just horrible?”  Well yes, it is, but our family doesn’t look at it that way. We try not to focus on the negative and try to take every day as a gift and be thankful that Dad is still here with us.

Research is our family’s best hope for raising awareness to reach potential organ donors, new treatments, and one day, a cure. Without dialysis treatments, I may never have had the chance to know my dad. To have his guidance and feel his incredible love. To let him know how much I love him back. I wish all the daughters and sons of people with kidney disease could experience this joy.