Grateful for every hand, heart, and hero who helped me through dialysis, transplant, and recovery. It truly takes a village—and mine showed up big.
Living Kidney Donor: Why did I choose to donate? Reasoned Response – Part I
I didn’t wake up one day and decide to donate a kidney. It took deep thought, prayer, and a friend’s life-changing diagnosis to begin this unexpected journey.
Living Kidney Donor: Why did I choose to donate?
I have a two-part response, which is a general summation of over 6 months of inflection, investigation, and prayer.
About the Living Kidney Donor & Recipient Blog
Two people. Two stories. One miraculous intersection. A kidney donor and recipient share their transplant journey from both perspectives. Browse our interlinked stories by category, timeline, or curiosity. Because every kidney transplant story is unique, yet somehow universal.
Kidney Transplant – Stats (2024)
In 2024, 27,759 kidney transplants were performed in the United States.
Cross-Match Kidney Transplant 101
Two amazing donors, two recipients, one powerful swap: cross-matching made two transplants possible through paired donation and a shared commitment to saving lives.
Kidney Transplant Surgery 101
For a long time, my nights belonged to a machine. Six to nine hours hooked to tubes on one side and an insulin pump on the other. So when a surgery date finally landed on the calendar, I should have felt only relief. I felt relief. I also had a hundred questions. What happens in […]
Two Types of Kidney Donation
There are two main types of kidney donation.
Meet Our Transplant Doctor
Get to know Dr. Arika Hoffman, Transplant Surgery at UNMC
About Kidney Dialysis
Dialysis removes waste and fluid from the blood when kidneys fail. It can be done at home, in a center, or hospital using HD or PD methods.
One and Done
Reflecting on grace, faith, and the gift of kidney donation while celebrating Chad’s catheter removal and answered prayers.
Other Kidney Transplant Stories
Real stories from others living with kidney disease, dialysis, and transplants—voices of resilience, hope, and connection.
My Kidney Dialysis & Transplant – Fears
A raw, intimate glimpse into the fears that haunted my transplant journey—rejection, exhaustion, and the ache of waiting for hope to arrive.
Kidneys 101
Kidneys power life by filtering waste, balancing fluids, regulating pressure, building blood cells, and strengthening bones with unseen persistence.
Why become a living donor?
Learn more about becoming an organ donor and what is involved in the process.
Living Kidney Donor – FAQ
All donors get a very thorough medical evaluation to make sure it is safe to donate. The longer a patient is on dialysis, the higher the rate of medical problems.
Timeline Of Events
Diagnosed in 2023, I began dialysis, pursued transplant options, and received a new kidney in Oct 2025—now healing, hopeful, & off dialysis.
Physical Status Update (S+8 Day)
Halloween brings walks with kids, better sleep, upright strides, healing incisions with glue, and steady recovery progress.
Adding Man-Card Points (S+7 Day)
Shopping with dad, earning steps and man-points, celebrating Kalum turning 13, and joking about teenage strength versus recovery.
Anniversary Present- Honey, I’m Home! (S+6 Day)
Celebrating 21 years with flowers, Scattergories victory, family joy, and deep rest after a long day.