My name is Sandra and I donated one of my kidneys to my hero, my father. At the age of 25 just when I was about to finish my undergraduate school, my family and I received the worst news ever. My father, the sole provider of the family, was diagnosed with renal failure. After speaking to the doctors and them telling us that my father will be put on dialysis for the rest of his life – which will not be for long – we, the family, decided that finding a kidney was something we were going to do.
The family did many tests and the results came back that I was the most compatible and then came September 23, 2005 – the perfect day. I had so many emotions but the most important one was the feeling of knowing that my father was going to get better so he could see me get married, and enjoy his grandchildren. I am rocking one kidney chasing my two kids around and enjoying life to the fullest but the best part is that I have my father right next to me enjoying every moment of it.
My name is Nick and I donated my kidney to my wife in September, 2011 when I was 35.
Here is our story:
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=238600
I’ve been “rocking on” with one kidney since 1988, that’s the year my sister got her transplant. I didn’t even miss ski season that year. Since then I took up whitewater rafting (including guide school), even rafting all over the Yucatan in Mexico.
Having only one kidney never stopped me from doing anything that I wanted to, nor have I ever really worried about it. What I did think was that my sister was not on dialysis and that she got a new lease on life with her new kidney. Advances in transplantation are pretty amazing these days, quite a bit different than when I donated. I love stories about the donor chains and stranger donations.
My name is Jason, and I am 27 years old. The 54-year-old father of one of my best friends, Bill, was diagnosed with late-stage renal failure in 2011. In the beginning of 2012, I was alerted by a Facebook post asking for a kidney donor. Surgery was finally January 14, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, NJ.
I was released from the hospital three days later. I returned to work three weeks after that. As part of my recovery, I went to Longwood Gardens with my girlfriend, went out to lunch with friends, and went to a family Super Bowl party, and a birthday party. The most exciting thing I’ve done since surgery is go to central Florida for a week with my girlfriend. It was exciting to be able to ride roller coasters at Universal Studios. Currently, a few friends and I are planning a two week trip to Chile in September.
Link to inspirational NJ.com article about Jason’s donation
My sister was 25 when her kidneys failed. She was on dialysis for a year before asking family members to be tested as a match for donation. I was the lucky one who was a 3 match. I had just turned 21 and was engaged to be married. Our surgery took place on December 9th, 1993. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years!
It took me a good year to recover. I am in complete awe of the advances in the medical procedure since then. A month recovery is now common! SO wow!!
Since then I did marry my sweetheart. We are about to celebrate 20 years of marriage. I have 3 beautiful kids. I do Zumba 4-6 times a week. I didn’t know until about 2 years ago about staying away from Ibuprofen, so I now only take Tylenol for pain. I have had kidney stones in my remaining kidney but I know the signs well and I get my kidney levels checked at least yearly or if I am in any pain. I drink a ton of water and I stay away from too much protein and caffeine. I have never ever regretted my decision!!!
— Kristy Oblad
Thank you to all of the amazing kidney donors who have already shared their stories with Rock 1 Kidney! You inspire R1K founder Jen Reeder every day, and you’ll see in this Huffington Post essay to celebrate World Kidney Day. We love hearing from kidney donors – please keep the stories coming!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jen-reeder/rocking-one-kidney-donation_b_4953903.html?utm_hp_ref=impact&ir=Impact
It is common for many to ask what I can eat and what kind of medication to I have to take. Truth is, I can eat anything I want, although like before, I’d like to stay healthy. Anyway, this Sunday will be 3 months since surgery and last week:
Ran 16.5 miles
Went for a swim hoping to do 500 meters to stretch and swam 1200 meters
Hiked 5 miles and worked on resistance for another hour
This morning went for a quick 4-mile run at 5 a.m.
I’m doing just fine.
– Pono Shim
RIK note: Here is a link to an inspiring story by KITV’s Paula Akana about Pono’s kidney donation to his high school friend and their efforts to increase awareness of organ donation in Hawaii – best of luck to you both! And thank you, Paula, for covering it!
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/two-hawaii-men-raise-awareness-about-kidney-disease/24706772
Kenny and I met through Nichiren Buddhism 17 years ago but it was brief, then 15 years later we met again and became friends. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo together weekly, I learned about his need of a donor. Then one day after an activity, we were eating and seeing him swallow all those pills he needed just to eat, I blurted out, “I can give you a kidney.”
I had not thought about it prior. He ignored me, until two days later when I persistently asked for info to see if I was a match. Three weeks later on Xmas Eve I got the call. I WAS a match.
Being able to help someone who is suffering is the greatest gift one can give themselves, because when we help others we help ourselves. The surgery was very simple. We celebrate his first kidney birthday (donation date) today. For me, my life changed only in perspective – his changed in every way. He thanks me for giving him his life back. There truly is no greater gift than that of gratitude. I am grateful for opportunity to help him.
– Staci Hurt
I donated my kidney to my nephew on Nov. 7, 2013. There have been some bumps in the road but as we celebrated the 3-month anniversary of the transplant, I thought about how overjoyed with happiness I was when I found out I was a great match. The only way I can describe it is, it’s like when you are told you are pregnant for the first time. Incredible joy, crying with happiness, so very thankful to be given the opportunity to help.
Then worry – what will it be like to donate? Then reading and talking to people who have donated for their experiences. I have to admit I probably only communicated with about 10 people. I wanted this to be my experience without any outside influences. People ask me what it is/was like and I always reply that it wasn’t a big deal. Their response is always surprise, and honestly I would do it again in a heartbeat! Only wish I could grow more kidneys to donate. Thanking God for blessing me with this incredible gift to give.
We are grateful to singer/songwriter Art Steinman for allowing us to share his terrific song, “Please Share Your Spare.” And thanks for writing it, Art!
My name is Sandra and I donated one of my kidneys to my hero, my father. At the age of 25 just when I was about to finish my undergraduate school, my family and I received the worst news ever. My father, the sole provider of the family, was diagnosed with renal failure. After speaking to the doctors and them telling us that my father will be put on dialysis for the rest of his life – which will not be for long – we, the family, decided that finding a kidney was something we were going to do.
