Seeing my mom battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) motivated me to turn my experience into a mission to support others impacted by kidney disease. As a living donor in the paired exchange program, I saw first-hand the emotional and physical toll that kidney disease had on my mom.
Reflecting on our experience, I can say, the transplant was one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences of our lives. There was fear—fear of the unknown, of surgery, of recovery—but it was outweighed by hope, courage, and love. The day of surgery felt surreal, like everything we had been hoping and waiting for was finally happening. Recovery took time and patience but was worth every step; you just have to listen to your body and let it heal.
Today, my mom and I are both doing well. I don’t take that for granted for a second. Watching my mom laugh, have energy, and live her life again—it truly means everything to me. I got my best friend back!
I want people to know they’re not alone. My motivation to donate was rooted in my deep bond with my mother. My mom is my best friend and I knew deep down that this was the right thing to do. I didn’t see it as giving something up—I saw it as giving her a second chance to keep living, to keep being the person who has always been there for me. By donating through the paired exchange program, I got my best friend back. That’s the simplest and most honest way I can put it. There was never a doubt in my mind. I would do it all over again without hesitation.
Now, I use my story to spread awareness and support for those in similar situations. If you are thinking about becoming a living donor, take the time to learn, ask questions and really understand the process. It’s a big decision, but it’s also an incredibly meaningful one. For me, it gave someone I love a second chance at life and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.
