The decision to become a kidney donor sort of fell into my lap. It started in 2018 when I saw an episode of American Ninja Warrior in which contestant Austin Grey presented his story as a kidney donor athlete. As a runner, I was inspired by his act of giving and ability to heathfully return to his sport. I told myself, if the opportunity to donate ever crosses my radar, I would do it.

Just three months later while working the front desk at a senior living facility, a coworker looked glum and told me her father, Cliff, was just added to the list for kidney transplant waitlist. Immediately, I remembered my quiet promise to myself to donate if the opportunity ever presented itself. 

I asked his blood type, which turned out to be the same as mine, and signed up right then and there at the computer.

Her father’s health was nosediving, and he had a wife and young daughters to care for. At the time, I had four children ranging from 1 year old to 13 years old and empathized with his struggle. I had lost my dad at a very young age and felt powerless at the time, but I felt more than empowered to help this father and potentially save his life. 

Prior to donation, I was a semi-regular runner, having participated in a few RunDisney half marathons. I was currently base training for a monumental goal for myself: the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World, a four-day running event consisting of a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon. Once I was approved to be a donor, my training switched to being in the best shape to donate my kidney to Cliff. 

Throughout the process and surgery, there were definitely some hurdles. I had two babies in diapers, the youngest of whom was still breastfeeding, and I was homeschooling the other two children. I had so much to juggle as a mother, but was driven to help this man in what seemed like a short and minor inconvenience in my life that would equate to such a profound gift for him.

When the kidney transplant coordinator called me to reveal we were a match and to pick a date, I remembered that August 19th was his birthday and chose that date to donate my kidney. The transplant team told me that Cliff would likely feel immediate relief but that I would feel miserable, so I had an idea of what to expect. I had had four cesarean sections previously, and it was comparable to that, only there wasn’t a cute baby to distract from the pain. 

Recovery was honestly rough. Once I got home, I could not perform my regular duties of caring for my family, and I relied on support from my husband, mom, and teenage son. Surprisingly, I experienced what felt like postpartum depression following the kidney donation.

My kidney transplant coordinator assured me it was normal and would pass in time. There is such a build up to donation day that when it is over and you are in pain, it is normal to feel blue.

I started on the road to recovery by going on walks. My first mile walk was at a very slow 35:20 pace, yet it remains my proudest mile. I dealt with so much post-donation fatigue during the first year of recovery, but I also worked steadily on my running paces, even PR’ing my 10k pace. 

Then in 2021, I delivered my 5th child and had to rebuild myself again. During 2022, I trained for my first marathon and ran in Walt Disney World. Then four years after donating, I finally trained for and completed the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World, and it was a dream come true! Not only that, but five days after the marathon, I ran a consecutive 10k and half marathon at Disneyland!

The obstacles of donating my kidney was a minor blip in the story of my athletic journey. First I was inspired by another kidney donor athlete, and now I am forever inspired to be a kidney donor athlete myself and show the world that it is not only possible but richly rewarding to donate and remain active and chase those big goals! 

As far as precautions I take post-donation: I don’t sell myself short anymore. I know big things are possible, with love, dedication, and work.