Nearly 15 years ago, I had the privilege of working alongside an incredible woman named Sebrina Wright at the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. Years later, after I reluctantly rejoined Facebook simply to keep up with my children's school announcements, I saw Sebrina's heartfelt plea for a living kidney donor. I felt called to see if I could help. When I learned we shared the same blood type, I quietly began the long journey of testing. As a mother of five, I didn't make the decision lightly, but I knew I had to find out if I could help. When I received the call that I was a match, I reached out to Sebrina for the first time in 12 years and simply said, "Call me." I'll never forget hearing the emotion in her voice when I told her I could donate my kidney.

On July 1, we were wheeled into surgery together at Ochsner, and I was given the extraordinary opportunity to help change the course of her life. Donating a kidney has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life. It reminded me that one person's decision can give another person more birthdays, more family dinners, more holidays, and more time.

I am truly honored to be recognized as a Kidney Hero because it gives me another opportunity to share my story and encourage others to consider the life-changing gift of living organ donation. Every donation made to my Kidney Hero campaign helps the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana provide education, advocacy, and patient support while raising awareness about the life-changing impact of living organ donation. If my story has touched your heart, I hope you'll consider supporting my campaign. Together, we can help save lives by raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and inspiring more people to consider becoming living donors. You never know whose life you might change!