Danielle’s Miracle: A Kidney Transplant Journey

My name is Brittany and I am here with my sisters, Tiffanne and Jasmine to share the journey of our mother Danielle. Anyone who knows her can testify that she is a beautiful soul and one of the most amazing and strongest people we know. She is very involved with her family, church and community. You would never know unless she told you, but she has struggled with several health conditions including kidney issues that began over 20 years ago.

In 2004, her left kidney was removed due to renal cell cancer. Yet the Lord sustained the right kidney for the next 15 years. In 2019, a suspicious cyst was found on the right kidney that required surgical removal. After that surgery, her kidney function began to slowly decrease.

By September 2022, her kidney function reached a level so low we began dialysis planning and kidney transplant evaluation. We were advised to get on multiple transplant lists to increase the odds of finding a match sooner. Then, in March 2023, we got the official notification that she had been approved for the national kidney transplant list in Jacksonville, FL.

Yay!!! This was exciting news! We were looking forward to what was next. Unfortunately, we were informed that the average wait time for a deceased kidney donor is 5 years. But we were hopeful and continued to pray.

After this approval and knowing the lengthy wait for a kidney, a friend answered the call and willingly volunteered to begin the donor evaluation process.

On Sunday morning May 21st at 3am we got the call. It was not a drill. Seven weeks after being placed on the transplant list a match was available. This just doesn’t happen. But here we were. God stepped in and provided again. We were elated, shocked, and anxious but thankful and grateful at the same time. With this kidney, our mom has been given the gift of life but at the same time another family had to say goodbye to a loved one.

We immediately made the 5-hour journey one way to Jacksonville, FL and after testing for organ compatibility, the surgery was performed Sunday night.

Now that the transplant surgery is complete we begin the road to recovery. Because the call came much sooner than expected, arrangements are being made as we go. Danielle will have to remain in Jacksonville for 4-5 weeks post surgery for close monitoring and daily follow up appointments. We will rotate caregiver duties and alter work schedules to ensure one of us remains with her until she is discharged home.

This GoFundMe is to organize funds for Danielle’s medical bills, lodging in Jacksonville, transportation between SC and FL, meals, hospital stay, and lifelong anti-rejection medications. Please consider giving as any amount will help Danielle on her kidney transplant journey. Your donations will help us focus on the road to recovery without the worry of the additional costs.

Thank you for your love, kindness, prayers, and support.