Being a healthy, active woman in my 50s, I knew after seeing my friend’s story about needing a kidney for her daughter several times that I needed to throw my name into the hat and at least see if I was a match. It was a long journey but I indeed was a directly compatible blood match … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Natalie!
Right Kidney For The Trail On a special day, 8 February 2020, I ran my first serious run since donating my left kidney on 16 October 2019 – just 16.5 weeks later. At 73 years old, a half marathon trail run (my first trail run) on one kidney is a significant achievement. I ran the Rotorua Ultra Half, one of the more picturesque trail runs in our country, renown for … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Tom!
“Serendipity: finding pleasing things one had not been looking for." As donors, we so often hear from non-donors that it must feel great to have saved someone’s life through donation. It absolutely does feel incredible, and helping another human live life was why I chose to donate. I can’t help also telling non-donors of the serendipitous … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Molly!
Well, it has been an interesting year but my solo kidney is doing very well (and so is my socially distant kidney). My last KDA update was in my 6 week recovery period post-donation surgery. I was doing well and excited to get back to training after 6 months off the mat thanks to my … Continue reading Another Update from Kidney Donor Athlete, Varla!
I honestly knew nothing about living kidney donation when I started this journey other than it was something that people did for their loved ones (I had no idea people donated altruistically either!). This all changed when, in February of 2018, my mom called to tell me that she was in kidney failure and … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Katie!
Notes to self..... Well before my donation day of January 2, 2019, I came in contact with Ned Brooks and Lisa Emmott, two people who were very kind to me and supportive of what I was undertaking with my pending donation. I was then introduced to Tracey Hulick - ever heard of her?? - … Continue reading Time to Catch Up With Kidney Donor Athlete, Bobby!
My name is Emily Nowak and on November 2, 2018, I made the best decision of my life and donated my kidney to a stranger. I made a bucket list in which I wanted to help out a complete stranger. I didn't know what that was going to be and certainly didn't think it would … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Emily!
It has been 47 days since I donated my left kidney to my Uncle Bill. My donation journey to this point has been quite the adventure full of ups and downs. I underestimated both the physical recovery and emotional toll of this surgery. I hope sharing this chapter of my story does not turn people … Continue reading 6 Week Post-Op Update From Clinton!
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? That question we asked as kids or heard as parents. Over and over and over. Well, as my non-directed donor day of January 2, 2019, rapidly approaches, I'm intentionally slowing down to reflect on this and stay in the moment for those thoughts and reflections as "the … Continue reading Bobby’s Journey – Second Installment!
Kent’s Donation Journey, the story of an everyday athlete! Written by Ken on October 30, 2018 I was a non-directed donor on September 11, 2018. And ironically, or not, it went to a 60-70-year-old white male in New York City. His operation took place at one of the original transplant centers at Columbia University Hospital. … Continue reading Meet Kidney Donor Athlete, Kent!
