“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” ~Oprah Winfrey

“Living with end stage renal disease changed my life physically and emotionally.  But with faith and the support of my family and friends, I tried to live a happy and normal life.  So, despite the challenges and obstacles faced daily with kidney disease, maintaining a positive outlook will get you through your darkest days.”

-Agatha Brooks (Kidney Transplant Recipient – July 3, 2003)

“Don’t get discouraged or let change alter your life.  There will be ups and downs. Prayer helps and changes things.  Always keep a positive attitude.”

-Courtney Gilliam (Mom, Kidney Donor) and Miracle Jennings (Daughter, Kidney Transplant Recipient – January 5, 2017)

I am a 2 time transplant recipient. I lost my first transplant to rejection. I just received a second transplant last week. The kidney is working excellent right now. After being on dialysis for almost 10 years, I believe retracing my bladder to hold urine is the hardest part of the battle. But that just a minor consequence for such a major reward! It’s nothing a kidney warrior can’t conquer! 

-Shanice Bacon (Kidney Transplant Recipient – September 12, 2020)

In September 2018, I got sick on a business trip away from home. For a week I was hospitalized in Texas and was suddenly placed on dialysis. Had I gotten on that plane to DC, I may have died.

After several months of hemodialysis through an access in my chest, I was trained to do peritoneal dialysis. PD  gives me so much more freedom and control. Now I hope and pray to get on the kidney transplant list. In the meantime, I want to encourage any HD patients who qualify to switch to PD. I have a busy life. I work and am involved in outside organizations. I feel much better. You can do it!

-Donna Grimes ( PD patient since May 2019)