Billboard For Riley's Kidney
Hello, my name is Riley Crowder. I am a 26-year-old woman with my Master’s Degree in Child Life. For those who don’t know: Child Life Specialists normalize the hospital environment for children and their families by explaining new diagnoses, preparing for procedures and tests in developmentally appropriate ways, and using play to distract from painful and potentially trauma-invoking experiences. I love hiking, kayaking, going to the gym, and being around my friends and family. My friends and family would describe me as kind, empathetic, funny, outgoing, and motivated.
The second part of my life story is a bit "different" than that of the average girl. At the age of 4, I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease. At this time, I began taking loads of medication. Each medical complication throughout my childhood caused me to become more anxious and scared. I never felt in control of my life.
Growing up with Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Kidney Failure was not easy on my family or me. I hated having to miss out on school dances, soccer games, and fun. I felt alone - like I was the only one struggling with this disease. My life of ambulance rides and hospital stays were a source of trauma and stress.
In March 2002, I received a kidney from my mom. I could finally live a life uninterrupted by hospitalizations and needles. I could play soccer without feeling like I was going to pass out, dance, and most importantly, I was able to go to school and hang out with my friends.
I took advantage of this healthy time; I graduated from high school, college, and graduate school. I traveled the country and parts of Europe. I even hiked the Grand Canyon! I feel I truly lived! I graduated 2014 with my Master’s Degree and landed my dream job as a Child Life Specialist at Miami Children's Hospital. I wanted to give back - to give children a sense of normalcy during an incredibly traumatic time in their lives. My Life experiences that were able to give me that sense of "normalcy" in a time that just seemed chaotic. Getting into the Child Life field allowed me to ensure others felt some sense of routine in an overwhelming environment.
18 months ago, my transplanted kidney failed and I started dialysis. On that day, I had to come to terms with the fact that I could no longer work in my field due to immunosuppression and the “physical drain” of dialysis.
I am not sharing my story in hopes of starting a pity party. I am sharing my story because I, among hundreds of thousands others, need a new kidney. But honestly, what makes me deserve one more than the 26 year old physical therapist that has been waiting 6 years already for a second transplant? Or the 25 year old esthestician on her second transplant, which is functioning at 30%? Nothing. But there is a program at Massachusetts General Hospital called the Exchange Program. The Exchange program is also known as paired donation; to learn more, click here.
I have started this GoFundMe page in the hopes that I can raise enough money to buy a billboard advertisement on a major highway in NH. I am hoping this billboard will include my picture and the phone number to the Massachusetts General Hospital Donor Coordinator at [phone redacted] as well as my personal website.
By getting this billboard, I can bring more awareness to my situation, and hopefully get a kidney through paired donation. This could not only save my life, but many others as well!
There are ways to help: share this story, and spread the word about childhood kidney disease, kidney failure, and kidney transplant! More direct ways to help would be to explore paired donation, live single donation, and donating your organs after death. I know it seems scary and daunting, but it could save lives
To learn more about my story or to contact me, please visit my website at: http://letsfindrileyamatch.weebly.com
or join my Facebook Page: "Let's Find A Match. Please think about how amazing it would be to save someone else's life. Thank You!
Riley
