In the Find A Kidney Blog, you’ll find both education and inspiration in your search for a living kidney donor, including tips from experts who have conducted a successful search and personal stories from people who have been in your situation and were able to find a living donor for a kidney transplant.
If you’re looking for a living kidney donor, spreading the word through local or national news organizations can be incredibly effective. A story in the media can connect you with potential donors and raise awareness about your journey in a way social media alone sometimes can’t. Here’s a step-by-step guide to reaching out, along with …
When we were living in Texas, I had a bout of gout. I’d never had it before in my life, and I didn’t think anything of it. After we moved back to New York, where we have lived most of our lives and raised our kids, I developed this horrible winter itch, which I thought …
Finding out you have kidney disease can be overwhelming. One of the first questions many people ask is, “Will I need a kidney transplant—and if so, when?” The short answer is: not everyone with kidney disease will need a transplant right away, and some may never need one at all. The kidney disease timeline depends …
Back in 2009, when Aiden was four years old, he started showing symptoms of kidney issues. He was peeing blood—it was so red it looked like fruit punch. We took him to the pediatrician (not his regular pediatrician), and he dismissed it. He thought it was juice. Well, I don’t give my kids juice—that was blood. We took him back to his regular pediatrician, and he ordered a kidney ultrasound. Before we …
When you are searching for a living kidney donor, one of the most powerful tools available to you is a personalized microsite to help tell your story and connect with potential donors. Here is why a custom microsite can make all the difference. What Is a Microsite? A microsite is a free, personalized website designed …
Searching for a living kidney donor can be overwhelming—emotionally, physically, and logistically—which is why building a strong support team can make all the difference. With the right people by your side, you can focus on staying healthy and mentally resilient while others help carry the load. Here’s a breakdown of the roles that can help …
If you need a kidney transplant and are seeking a living donor, having a “champion” to help you in your search can make all the difference. A 2020 study at Johns Hopkins found that participants with a champion were five to six times more likely to find a potential living donor than those without a …
In 2021, at his annual physical, our then-23-year-old son’s lab work came back with too much protein in his urine. He was referred to a nephrologist and had a biopsy. We were shocked to learn he had Stage 3 chronic kidney disease, with a GFR (glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney function) of 58.
Exercise is a key part of staying healthy, but for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), staying active can offer even more critical benefits. Engaging in regular physical activity can help control blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy weight, which helps manage CKD and its associated conditions, like diabetes and hypertension. Being …