Hi,
I know, it’s been a while since my name has appeared on The Tenafly Echo’s page. While I could justify my absence through extreme senioritis, writer’s block, or an overload of college applications (and to be honest, all of those factors played a role), I could also tell you the truth. Allow me to explain…
As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving piece last year, I have quite an elaborate medical history.
Born with end-stage renal failure due to a complete blockage in my urinary system, I received my first kidney transplant from my father in 2014 at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I missed the entirety of second grade due to this extensive operation, the multiple battles with rejection, and a stubborn virus that compromised that transplanted kidney.
The battle to revive that kidney included biopsies, experimental treatments, and traveling to multiple centers to meet with different nephrology (kidney specialist) teams to discuss possible solutions to eliminate the virus and save my newly transplanted kidney. Unfortunately, the kidney never regained its lost function and has been steadily deteriorating throughout my high school career.
Now that I’ve gotten past all of the technical stuff, allow me to explain why I’ve been essentially MIA since late October.
Because of my eventual kidney failure, I was in deep need of a second kidney transplant. However, I had to wait on the deceased donor waitlist and spend the first few months of my senior year on dialysis, making my favorite activities and college applications extra difficult. I was constantly tired, with every day feeling like a battle. My stomach would feel strange, my attention span was infinitesimal, and I would feel sick quite often.
However, after a few months of dialysis, I was blessed with a second kidney from a close friend on October 31, 2024, at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. To express my gratitude for this person in words is impossible, as they truly gave me that new streak of life that I lacked for so long. This profound act of kindness restored my health and opened doors to a bright path forward that I’m eager to embrace, and that begins with informing on the importance of organ donation.
To me, donation is the pathway to my dreams, which is to fight for those who may not be able to.
Although my health was constantly fluctuating and changing, my dream of addressing global healthcare inequities and giving marginalized groups a voice never wavered. I’ve always wanted to make this a reality, but as I became sicker and more fatigued, the dream felt increasingly out of reach.
Perseverance has always been the defining factor within my life and medical journey, so I had no intentions of giving up. I wanted to keep going so I could help people internationally to keep going, too.
In this journey of perseverance, I’ve come to realize that the act of giving—whether through donation or support—is deeply intertwined with shared human experiences. Therefore, donation, to me, is about continuing someone’s legacy and making monumental change in the world. The new kidney that I was so generously given will allow someone’s loved one to live on inside of me—a rebirth for them, for me, and for the fighting spirit of my transplanted kidney.
Through donating an organ or tissue, you’d be giving someone the opportunity to thrive in this diverse world by giving them a new streak of life. You would have the ability to turn despair into hope for someone, making an immeasurable difference in their life. Although it’s a bit daunting, donating is a selfless act that could lead to miracles for many facing life-threatening conditions. I know that donation changed my life for the better, and I couldn’t be doing what I’m currently executing without my new kidney.
People often say I’m resilient for simply surviving, but I don’t see it that way. Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about finding meaning in the challenges and using them as fuel for the future, and it’s only with the revitalizing and selfless donation of a beautiful soul that I’m able to do that today. Thus, I really urge anyone reading this article to take that step forward toward becoming a donor.
How, though? Don’t worry, it’s quite simple.
First, educate yourself on the concept of organ donation, and engage in a conversation with your family to see if this is the best step for you. Then, go see if you’re eligible to become an organ and tissue donor through the National Donate Life Registry or your state organ donation registry website. If you’re eligible, you can simply register online! However, you can also do something as simple as registering as an organ donor at the DMV when getting or renewing your driver’s license.
By sharing my story, I hope that I’ve opened your eyes to the profound impact organ donation has on individuals and their families. My journey has shown me how the gift of a kidney has not only revitalized my health, but also my passion for advocating for those who need a voice. Every registration for organ and tissue donation really does hold immense weight and power to transform countless lives. Because of this one generous soul who gave me their kidney, I’m now able to dream big. I can apply to colleges all around the nation without being restricted to a certain area due to dialysis, and I can prioritize my dream of working for the UN in the World Health Organization without having to worry about being too fatigued to achieve it.
If you have any questions or just want to talk about any of this, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Choose to be a hero and register as an organ donor today. Everyone deserves a second chance at life.
