This is #WhyIWalk

After many attempts at convincing, as only daughters can do, I finally persuaded my dad to schedule a physical in 2016 after a long hiatus from healthcare. Following the appointment, he needed to go for additional tests - blood work, ultrasounds, etc., though they weren't quite sure what was going on. I'll never forget the phone call when I got home from work that day that stopped me in my tracks – ‘Tests came back, <%15 kidney function, Stage IV Kidney Disease.’ This moment changed our family forever. The next 3 years were a blur of appointments, medications, diet adjustments, registrations on the UNOS list and ultimately the search for a donor.

Luck smiled upon us in 2019 when my younger brother volunteered as a donor and was found to be a match. Surgery happened on Friday, September 13th which is now considered a lucky day for us. Despite some complications and a 16+ hour day, the surgery was a success and the healing process began.

On the three-year anniversary of that date, our entire family feels extreme gratitude and appreciation for all of the resources and support services made available to us and others walking along this same path. Thank you to the talented surgeons, doctors, nurses, patient advocates, transplant recipients and their families that shared their stories and their support.

I walk for my dad, for others like him, and for others like me: families, friends, and advocates that are educating, supporting and lifting up each other and our communities to fight against this disease.