Help with Sam's Kidney Transplant
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Samantha. I am 28 years old and I live in New York. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and I am in dire need of a kidney. To check if you can be a potential donor, please click HERE. To read my story, continue below.
I’ve been silently battling kidney disease since the age of 8. Throughout the years, I found it extremely difficult to communicate my fight with anyone, not even to my closest family and friends.
As a young child, I always felt extremely limited to the things I could do while living with kidney disease. I never felt like a “normal” kid, despite my best efforts to keep a tough face and fit in. I refused to let my dreams to further my education fall by the waist side and decided to push myself to achieve higher learning at Temple University.
At one point, I was in remission and I thought my kidney issues were resolved but I had a relapse while in college and had a near-death experience. I was at home and suddenly, my whole body just gave out. I was in a total body spasm from limb to limb, paralyzed from the neck down, and it was extremely difficult to breathe. I yelled for help due to the excruciating pain and just prayed that the feeling would pass, but unfortunately, it did not. The ambulance was called, and I was rushed to the hospital. Since then, I have been in and out of the hospital for years. Like a guinea pig, I've been poked and prodded with different treatments and medications to bring me back to remission, unfortunately, nothing has worked.
Although it has been a long road, I refuse to let this disease claim power over my life and goals. While it took 6 years, in 2016 I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Public Health while in and out of hospitals. I hosted and attended several community service events, joined extracurricular organizations, and made lifelong friends that motivated me to keep my head high as I dealt with my ongoing health issues.
I'm currently working full time in the medical field and have transitioned to a healthier lifestyle to combat the progressive decline of my kidney function.
Being on dialysis has caused me to put some of my dreams on standby while fighting this battle. I enjoy doing simple things like going to museums, zoos, and aquariums on a regular day however, am often left drained from treatments and deteriorating kidney function. I dream of traveling the world with no worries, restrictions, or concern about finding the nearest dialysis center.
Physically, this has been an exhausting journey, but the hardest part has been the emotional and financial burden it has placed on me and my family.
With a renewed quality of life, I hope to continue to give back to my community, educate others, and lead by example. I am fighting to one day pursue my Masters in Public Health and Social Work. I am fighting to one day start a family of my own. I am fighting to spend more time with my loved ones. I am fighting to be a living testament to others battling kidney disease.
I am fighting for my life.
I’ve been silently battling kidney disease since the age of 8. Throughout the years, I found it extremely difficult to communicate my fight with anyone, not even to my closest family and friends.
As a young child, I always felt extremely limited to the things I could do while living with kidney disease. I never felt like a “normal” kid, despite my best efforts to keep a tough face and fit in. I refused to let my dreams to further my education fall by the waist side and decided to push myself to achieve higher learning at Temple University.
At one point, I was in remission and I thought my kidney issues were resolved but I had a relapse while in college and had a near-death experience. I was at home and suddenly, my whole body just gave out. I was in a total body spasm from limb to limb, paralyzed from the neck down, and it was extremely difficult to breathe. I yelled for help due to the excruciating pain and just prayed that the feeling would pass, but unfortunately, it did not. The ambulance was called, and I was rushed to the hospital. Since then, I have been in and out of the hospital for years. Like a guinea pig, I've been poked and prodded with different treatments and medications to bring me back to remission, unfortunately, nothing has worked.
Although it has been a long road, I refuse to let this disease claim power over my life and goals. While it took 6 years, in 2016 I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Public Health while in and out of hospitals. I hosted and attended several community service events, joined extracurricular organizations, and made lifelong friends that motivated me to keep my head high as I dealt with my ongoing health issues.
I'm currently working full time in the medical field and have transitioned to a healthier lifestyle to combat the progressive decline of my kidney function.
Being on dialysis has caused me to put some of my dreams on standby while fighting this battle. I enjoy doing simple things like going to museums, zoos, and aquariums on a regular day however, am often left drained from treatments and deteriorating kidney function. I dream of traveling the world with no worries, restrictions, or concern about finding the nearest dialysis center.
Physically, this has been an exhausting journey, but the hardest part has been the emotional and financial burden it has placed on me and my family.
With a renewed quality of life, I hope to continue to give back to my community, educate others, and lead by example. I am fighting to one day pursue my Masters in Public Health and Social Work. I am fighting to one day start a family of my own. I am fighting to spend more time with my loved ones. I am fighting to be a living testament to others battling kidney disease.
I am fighting for my life.
Organizer
Samantha Pardo
Organizer
Spring Valley, NY