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Kidney Donor Athletes
Athlete Archive
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Dave!
Before I had even thought about an organ donation, I was very active in endurance sports. As a career military officer, fitness is part of the job description. In addition to staying fit for work, I participated in Ultramarathons, long-distance cycling and mountain...
Race Report From Kidney Donor Athlete, Shawna!
It’s taken the drive home today and a little perspective to put into words what went down this past weekend in Golden, British Columbia. I was committed to taking on a challenge in my 40th year and the Golden Ultra “Half Pint” turned out to be the perfect one. I...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Corey!
I was born and raised in New York City and my passions have always been learning and sports, so it was probably inevitable that I became a researcher-professor and have been a life-long runner. My chosen discipline is genomics, basically looking at all one’s genes and...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Leslie!
I am Leslie Premo and I donated my kidney to my older brother Bill on October 1st, 2014 at Boston Medical Center. I grew up in Vermont in a very active and athletic family and community. Participating in or watching sports and keeping a healthy lifestyle was...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Michelle!
About 10 months ago, my daughter announced to our family that her husband Bryan was in the beginning stages of kidney failure and was going to need a kidney transplant. This was not unfamiliar territory for Bryan or his family. His mom, sister and aunt all...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Becca!
I am five years kidney strong! I grew up in central Michigan on what we now call a “hobby farm”, riding horses, baling hay, cross country skiing, showing 4H steers and lots of walking/exploring on our acreage. The only real working out I did was...
Race Report From Kidney Donor Athlete, Eric. Leadville 100!
Can kidney donors safely run ultramarathons? I think we can do pretty much whatever we set our minds to do! Since my donation in December of 2017, I’ve run 12 ultras, which I admit was too much. Shortly after my 1-year anniversary, I was toast. I didn’t have the...
Update From Kidney Donor Athlete, Varla!
On Tuesday 16 July 2019, my kidney twin, Jason and I, with both of our mothers arrived at the hospital, ready to change his life. It was an exciting moment for us. We checked into the transplant ICU in rooms next to each other and the process began. The first...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Matt!
This may be long but is worth the read. It will take you on the journey of two people who never quit and ends with a life saving surgery that will change both of their lives forever. I’m a veteran of the US Navy and a 10-year Federal Law Enforcement Officer. My...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Pete!
Old running joke: How do you know if someone ran a marathon? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you about it. We’ve all heard that one no doubt. But on this site, those stories have cool plot twists! One year ago as I type this, on 7-13-18, I donated my left...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Steve!
I have never considered myself an athlete. I don't join clubs or teams. I avoid gyms like the plague. I don't lift weights or compete against other people. I have been carrying an extra 20 or 30 pounds my entire adult life. Doesn't sound...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Janey!
Hi! My name is Janey. Currently, I’m 48 years old and it’s been 15 years since I donated my kidney to my sister, Julie. My sister was born with degenerative kidney disease, so while I knew that she would eventually need a kidney, I never really thought about it. She...
Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Ashley!
My name is Ashley Hoyng and I am thirty-one and live in Columbus, Ohio. I work as a project manager and am active in my community. I have a big heart and always looking for ways to give back others. I am involved in the National Kidney Foundation and Donate Life as an...
Meet Future Kidney Donor Athlete, Varla!
"Athlete" was not a word that was used to describe me growing up. Although I participated in sport at school, I was most likely to be found helping the younger girls learn to swim than training with the team swimmers. I did make the first team in my final year, but as...
Race Report From Kidney Donor Athlete, Jenn
Well, I am super happy to be able to give a very positive race report since the last time I checked in with KDA in October 2018. Now I am just a little over 18 months past my kidney donation, and everyone is doing great. My dad was finally able to properly celebrate...