My name is Cara Syth and I am a runner and kidney donor from Menomonie, Wisconsin.
I didn’t start running until later in life. At age 35, I had low back pain and a deconditioned core. I wasn’t feeling great and was not very physically active. I decided that something needed to be done and I started seeing a chiropractor and physical therapist to become healthier and stronger. I started running and at age 37 ran my first half marathon. 6 months later, I ran my first marathon. I have not stopped since! Being physically active helps me feel better both physically and mentally. At this time, I have run 9 marathons, 15 half marathons, one 50K and 2 half Ironman races. One of my biggest joys has been being able to run 2 of my half marathons with my daughter.
My journey to become a kidney donor started with my friend, Brooklynn, who donated a kidney a few years prior. After she donated, I thought “why not?”. I was healthy. I do not have any family history of kidney disease. I have a good support system at home to help me through the process. Over a few years, I made a plan to donate in the Spring of 2023 (Donate a Kidney in 23!). However, I had one more thing I wanted to check off of my list. I had tried to qualify for the Boston Marathon 3 times and fell short each time. I made a plan to focus on my training and qualify for Boston at the California International Marathon in December of 2022. I am happy to say … I smashed my goal!
Around the time of qualifying, I had done all my pre-donation testing. I found out January 11, 2023 that I was approved and January 23, 2023 that I had a match. A few days later, my coordinator called to ask if I had any plans for Valentine’s Day because my surgery date was set! I didn’t find out until after donation that 2/14 is National Donor Day. What a fantastic coincidence.
My donation and recovery went great. It was my first abdominal surgery. I have to admit, the recovery was harder than I thought it would be. But, I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could! I later found out that my surgeon had written a book called “When Death Becomes Life” about the history of transplant and I had actually listened to him on Wisconsin Public Radio talking about the book years prior! It was on my “to read” list. I happily read my signed copy while recovering.
I am now in training for the 2024 Boston Marathon in April. I cannot wait to run it while wearing Kidney Donor Athlete gear!
