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Kwajera Jackson

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Kwajera Jackson

Join Our Team
2Kidneys 2Sheppards
Sunday, October 6, 2024
UMBC Campus, Erickson Field
1000 Hiltop Circle
9AM

Why I walk?

My father has been silently battling kidney disease for over a decade. His renal failure was likely triggered by an injury several years ago while working on a job site. He went to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital for 10 days for a staph infection. We were advised that the infection was affecting all of his internal organs and the medical team suggested that if he had not presented to the hospital when he did, he likely would have died. In 2017, a stress test revealed that he had heart disease, four of his major arteries were blocked and that his heart was only operating at 30%. Again, if the blockage hadn't been detected when it was, he could have died from a heart attack. Therefore, he was scheduled for emergency open heart surgery and a quadruple bypass. Unfortunately, a year later he was officially diagnosed with kidney disease in 2017, which has been exacerbated by his diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes over the years.

In 2021, my father was advised that his kidney disease had progressed to stage 4 and it was time to explore options for transplant. He applied to the University of Maryland’s Kidney Transplant program and was determined eligible for live donation only. He was determined ineligible to be added to the UNO’s list for deceased donors and the wait for an organ for his blood type ranges from 8-10 years. So, I completed the live donor questionnaire and screening to be considered as a living organ donor for my Dad. Unfortunately, because of my diagnosis of preeclampsia during my pregnancy with my daughter, although I would have been a perfect match, I was denied as a viable living donor for my Dad along with my mom, aunt and uncles.

Last August, we learned that my Dad’s kidney disease had progressed to stage 5 renal failure. Since then, we learned that my Dad's brother (my Uncle Charlie) is in stage 4 renal failure. We have met with nurses and attended webinars, consultations, courses and trainings about the various options for dialysis. Throughout this process, we have come to learn that while dialysis is an option, it is a huge burden and will decrease their quality of life. One of our cousins died by suicide in 2014 following other medical interventions while on dialysis. Most importantly, the doctors have advised that kidney transplant from a live donor is the best treatment option, and a living donor significantly improves one’s survival rate.

I am a Champion committed to advocate and raise awareness regarding my Dad and my Uncle's need for a kidney donor with hopes of securing 2 Kidneys for 2 Sheppard's. #ShareYourSpare

If interested in determining your eligibility to donate your spare kidney visit https://ummclivingdonation.org to fill out the Breeze transplant online application. You can learn more about donation and transplant at
umm.edu/LivingDonorKidney or umm.edu/transplant
or by contacting the University of Maryland Medical Center at 410-328-5408 or transplantappointments@umm.edu.
You may also watch Straight Talk about Living Donor Kidney Transplant, which answers common questions at the following link: https://bit.ly/2MQZHoy.

I am walking in solidarity with all those battling kidney disease and the thousands who will face an unexpected kidney disease diagnosis in the years to come. Please consider supporting my efforts with a generous donation and joining my team 2Kidneys 2Sheppards for the kidney walk on Sunday, 10/6/2024.

Expectantly,
Kwajera