KristinNeedsAKidney

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I am Kristin and I need a Kidney.

I am Kristin, and I need a Kidney Donor to save my life. We are blessed to be born with two kidneys, but we only need one to live a long, full, and healthy life. I have polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in both of my kidneys and have no viable family donors as this disease is hereditary. I am 51 years old, and there is nothing that I did in my life that brought on this disease or could stop it. I am asking you to read and share my story with others in the hope of finding me a donor.

Why a Living Donor?

The benefit of a Living Kidney Donor over a Deceased Kidney Donor is less time on a waiting list which could prevent complications and deterioration of my health. The wait time for a deceased donor currently is 8 years. Dialysis acts as a temporary band aid until a transplant is received. Dialysis is both physically debilitating and emotionally exhausting.

If I find that one person willing to donate a kidney on my behalf, my wait time will be reduced from 8 years to a few months. A living donor will allow me to live and grow old with the love of my life, Duff, to enjoy life with my family and friends, and to help the community in which I live.

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For more information about donating on my behalf please click on the link below:

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Who is Kristin?

I was born in a small town in New Jersey and moved to Florida in my senior year of high school when my father’s kidneys failed. I met many friends that year that I am blessed to still have in my life today. I modeled and worked at Estee Lauder while putting myself through college. After college, I started my career as a mortgage broker that has spanned 25 years. There is no greater feeling than watching my client’s dreams come true when they are handed the keys to their new home. It was at one of my closings that I met my husband, Duff. I enjoy being a Stepmother to my son, Dustin and Mother to our two dogs Bella and Scout.

My Interests:

Even as a little girl, I found it fulfilling to help others. I was a Big Sister to the same girl for four years and found it so rewarding. I also help my community through fundraising for the Breast Cancer Society. I have volunteered for the Harry Chapin Food Bank, found housing for the homeless, and helped with fundraisers for a local animal shelter. As I got older, I helped in being a caregiver to my grandmother, father, and now my mother. I have been taking care of my mom for two years, and she has now moved into Assisted Living. I’ve also helped elderly friend’s by going to the doctors with them and figuring out their medications.

I love spending quality time with Duff and our two dogs. We enjoy going out to dinner, watching football together, working on our spirituality, and making each other laugh. I have a wonderful group of girlfriends. We are like sisters. We love and lift each other up when needed, and they are a great support group for me.

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How a Kidney Transplant will affect my life

A kidney from a Living Donor will lessen my time on dialysis. I am currently preparing for surgery to begin dialysis soon. This transplant will help me with my current medical conditions. PKD causes high blood pressure and osteoporosis, which I have. It increases my chances of heart disease, stroke, and a brain aneurysm.

A transplant from a living donor will stop these things in their tracks. I am only 51 years old and have a whole lot of life that I desperately want to live with my loved ones. I will have the energy to help people around me through caregiving. I want to be able to walk with confidence and stability. I want to be able to stand for more than ten minutes at a time. I will be able to walk in the park with Duff and our dogs. More importantly, I will be able to return to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.

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KIDNEY DONATION BASICS:

A matching kidney would be ideal. However, a direct match is not necessary. A kidney may be donated on my behalf through the National Kidney Registry (NKR) to help another person in need but who also has an incompatible donor. I would receive a compatible kidney from a donor donating on behalf of an incompatible recipient and that recipient would then receive a kidney from a different unmatched donor-recipient pair.

The NKR would issue a voucher to me which is like an IOU for a kidney. The NKR employs data from across the U.S. to match donors with compatible recipients. That increases the number of transplants performed each year and makes for the best patient outcomes.

A donor who donates a kidney on my behalf would have the costs of hospital and medical bills covered. Donor Shield Protections (including lost wages, lodging, and more) available only through NKR may also be available.

HOW TO HELP ME:

KIDNEY DONATION BASICS:

You can help me by sharing my story and my website via social media and email. Just by sharing my story, you will help save my life. Anyone interested in finding out more information confidentially without any obligation can click on the button “Register to donate for Kristin.” A knowledgeable person will be in touch with them.

WHERE TO DONATE:
Donors can be anywhere. Almost 100 outstanding transplant centers participate in the NKR network. Donors usually can donate at any NKR-affiliated transplant center near them or at the Cleveland Clinic Florida, in Weston, FL, where I am registered and approved for transplant. I am just waiting for a donor.