Barb's Story

Dear Friends and Family,

I'd like to tell you a little something about kidney donation, and my story in particular.

About four years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 5 renal disease. It was an unexpected diagnosis that required me to start dialysis right away. Speculation was that it happened because of my ongoing battle with type 1 diabetes.

Dialysis requires being hooked up to a machine that cleans the toxins and fluids out of your body. At first, I went to a dialysis center three times a week, four to five hours each session. It was extremely difficult — muscle weakness, headaches, and a variety of other unpleasant side effects. A few months ago, I was able to start home PD, which lets me do dialysis from the comfort of my home. That means being hooked up to a machine seven nights a week, ten hours per session. It's a big commitment, and it must be done in order for me to stay alive.

I live with a catheter that comes out of my stomach, so you can imagine getting a pair of pants zipped and buttoned. Not fun! It's hard for me to travel, and I can't swim or take baths, which are things I used to love. It's ok, though. I know this is just a new way of life for me, and I try to think of it as a new adventure.

While you may think dialysis is enough to keep me alive, it is not a long-term solution. My health will continue to decline, and this may not be enough for me to survive long term.

As of today, there are over 100,000 people on the national organ transplant list, and every eight minutes a new person is added. Multiple people die each day while waiting for a life-saving donation. Kidneys account for the vast majority of that need — over 90,000 — and the average wait for one is five years. Some people receive a kidney from a deceased donor, but most will not, because many deceased donors do not have viable organs. According to my doctors, finding a living donor is the best and only option for me.

What many people don't know is that a person can live a full and healthy life with only one kidney. Living donation involves minimal risk to the donor, and it dramatically improves the quality of life for the recipient.

If you'd like to learn more, the American Transplant Foundation's "Living Donation Guide" at AmericanTransplantFoundation.org is a good place to start. You can review statistics, learn more about the process, and read stories from others who have given the gift of life.

I am working with the doctors in the kidney transplant department at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. If you're interested in donating, you can complete an initial screening form at https://mhealth.donorscreen.org/register/now. All information is private and confidential.

I hope this letter helps you understand a little about my story and helps spread awareness about living donation in general. I understand that donation is a very personal decision and that there is a lot to consider. If the idea is not comfortable for you, I completely understand and respect that. Please consider spreading the word, in case someone else might want to find out more.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you'd like to talk with me directly, please don't hesitate to reach out.

With much appreciation,
Barb Graham-Charnock