I am a very recent (5 weeks as of July 30!) recipient of a deceased donor kidney transplanted at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah! I am blessed and grateful to my donor family! I had been waiting unsuccessfully for 4 years and 8 months for a deceased donor kidney offer (or as we say in the kidney community “the call”) in California at Sutter California Medical Center, San Francisco. I decided to list myself at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah in February 2026 and got “the call” in four months! You can imagine how glad I am that I made that decision!
Expenses for me and my caregivers to travel to SLC and stay for one month, as well as travel back for four follow-up exams, have been adding up. If it is feasible for you, and you are so inclined, you can help me by making a donation on this website of any amount. You can donate anonymously or if you choose to be identified, the amount of your donation will not be made public.
My kidney disease has been progressive over many years due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). In fact, I consider myself fortunate to have avoided dialysis or any debilitating symptoms until I was 72 years old. It was when I applied for life insurance decades ago that my elevated creatinine level was discovered. Subsequent tests and imaging studies determined my PKD diagnosis. There is no evidence that anyone else in my family ever had, or has, PKD. Might just be my luck that it’s a spontaneous genetic mutation. I am glad no family members also have this affliction!
With my “recycled kidney” I can look forward to living life to the fullest – enjoying time with my family and friends, do some travelling, and hopefully see yet-to-come grandchildren! I intend to continue to contribute to my professional field of healthcare architecture. As a recipient of the “Planetree Lifetime Achievement Award” for patient-centered design, I want to continue to make improvements in the quality and accessibility of healthcare services! As a patient on the receiving end of state-of-the-art care in the United States I have a deeper understanding of our healthcare system. If you’re interested in my thoughts, check out my blog on this COTA website or my LinkedIn newsletter at: Design for Health.
And thank you so much for your support during my “kidney journey!”
COTA’s Story
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA also works with individuals of any age with a single-gene disorder such as Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Disease. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy families. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free of charge and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.