kidneyforU
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MY STORY

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A transplant recipient once said to me, "Fasten your seat belt, it's going to be a rocky road. But, you never know where your new kidney will come from." 
             
AND THAT IS THE TRUTH!

My miracle is that I received a kidney from a friend in my Ski Club.  His name is Boz,
a nickname for his last name, Boswell.  Somehow, I was able to find my needle in the huge barrels of hay, although there were many times I wanted to give up.

This is my story of how it happened and why I founded kidneyforU.

My kidney function declined very slowly over 20 years, and I was told I would need a transplant within 10, then 5 and finally, within 1 year. One  of my three sisters was a match; however, near the final stages of her testing, we received the devastating news that she was not a suitable match.  At that point, my doctor told me that I had 3-6 months before I would have to be on dialysis.  I was in total denial!

                                                                         MY WAKE UP CALL!

This is where my journey really began.  I made up my mind that I absolutely did not want to be on dialysis, and I set my heart on finding a living donor.  My first step was to send out letters to friends and family, asking everyone to pass it on to their own networks.  I was afraid to make something so private become public.  I was afraid to talk about this at all.  But, I had to learn how.  A few people were tested, but none were a suitable match.  Not only is it difficult to find someone who will say yes; but it is a huge challenge to find someone in overall excellent health.

Time was ticking, and I had no idea what to do.  Despite the fact that I was totally overwhelmed, somehow,  I knew I had to keep my inner faith and determination going.  This was an extremely difficult time and I found myself questioning if I would ever find that someone at all.  All my wells had dried up.   I was very lucky to have my partner and caregiver, John, by my side to help me get through this time.  

I happened to see Boz when I went up to the Ski Club, intending to ski on Halloween, my annual debut in costume.  He wanted to get tested, but I didn't hear anything back for a long time.  There is a lot of protocol about asking someone to be tested and I didn't want to pressure him.
                                       
                                         (Who knew he was waiting for me to call him?)

It was time for me to expand my search.  Since I had no one to turn to, I had to create my own path.  Since I had no advice, I had to make up 
my own.  I trekked all over, putting up flyers and postcards.  I formed teams to send out letters to my High School, college, religious organizations, my camp, gym and my Ski Club.  This started to pay off as e-mails started to flow in from everywhere, and I had hope again!

And then, five women from my gym offered to get tested, women I didn't even know!  At that point,  Boz told me that he was being tested, and if it all worked out, I could have his kidney!  WOW!  I told these women that I had a potential donor, but if he didn't work out, would they still be willing to be a donor?  They all said yes.  I was so blessed.  But, for several months, I heard nothing.  Had he changed his mind?  Had he passed the rest of his tests?  Had he been ruled out as a donor?  Finally, two months later, I got a call from him.  "Hello kindred spirit, what are you doing on March 16th?"  In true Boz fashion, he wanted to wait until he had a surgery date lined up and everything was set to go!"


            
OMG!! I HAVE A DONOR!!   

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                                                 The Bottom Line

This experience has made it clear to me that many others facing are facing the same questions of survival and need help.  How I wish that I had a Transplant Buddy!   I have been working with 9 people who are suffering with this difficult and complicated task of finding their living donor.  I have discovered this is truly my passion and something I want very much want to continue.  Together, with other Kidney Partners,  we can help more of you find your life-saving donor.  Think about what good we could do for others!
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Pre -Transplant/ Post -Transplant
         It was my donor, Bionic Boz, who said   "Save a life?  No Brainer!"
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  • Home
  • WHO WE ARE
    • MY STORY
    • WHAT WE DO
  • THE NEED
  • LIVING DONATION
  • FOR DONORS
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT US