<div>Meet Austin – A Fighter, A Survivor, and a Hopeful Heart
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<div>Hi, my name is Austin. I’m a Type 1 diabetic and a fighter living with Stage 5 kidney failure.
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<div>My journey began in 1993 when I was just 3 years old and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — the first in my family. Despite the shock, I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family who rallied around me from day one. I grew up like any other kid, just with a few more finger pricks and insulin shots.
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<div>I went on field trips, played sports, hung out with friends, and did my best to live life fully. Of course, it wasn’t always easy. I had a serious sweet tooth and spent more time than I’d like to admit in the hospital due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). But I pushed through, graduated high school as a top student, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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<div>Unfortunately, the toll from years of uncontrolled blood sugars began to catch up with me.
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<div>After college, I started losing my vision, which led to several eye surgeries. Later, I developed gastroparesis — a difficult and painful condition that affects digestion. Then came the hardest diagnosis of all: Stage 5 kidney failure.
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<div>In October 2023, I was officially diagnosed and referred to UNC to begin the long process of being added to the kidney transplant list. By May 2024, I was placed on the list with an expected wait time of 3–5 years.
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<div>But something remarkable happened.
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<div>Through the power of social media, I connected with two incredible souls. One of them — the husband of a social media friend who’s become like a second mom to me — stepped forward and asked, “What do I need to do to donate?” A complete stranger. He began the long, rigorous testing process… and on September 22, 2025, we got the call: he’s been approved to be my living donor.
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<div>We are now preparing for a living donor kidney transplant scheduled for December 5, 2025. To focus on recovery and give this new kidney the best chance to succeed, I’ll be stepping away from my full-time job — and stepping into a second chance at life.
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<div>I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this journey has taught me that letting others in — allowing them to show support, care, and kindness — is not a weakness, but a strength. Your encouragement, prayers, and kind words have already meant more than you’ll ever know.
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<div>Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Here’s to hope, healing, and a healthy new beginning.
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Beth Beerman

Anonymous

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Austin’s Fight For a Kidney and Second Chances

Just $38$40$39$38$37$36 to go! Make an impact.

Austin’s Fight For a Kidney and Second Chances

Just $38 to go!
Make an impact.