MY
STORY
My name is Lynn Meeks, and I am one of the more than 100,000 people in our country that need a life-saving kidney transplant. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at age 12, a condition that has impacted and taken over my entire life.
As a teenager, I took harsh medication that caused hair loss, immunosuppression, and fatigue. Even as a teenager, I could never quite keep up with my friends and family, a challenge that has become more significant over the last few years as my kidney function has deteriorated, with no hope of a cure. Now, I must begin treatment for kidney failure. There are only two treatments for people living with kidney failure: dialysis or transplant.
People describe me as generous, loving and nurturing. A new kidney will offer me the opportunity to watch my granddaughter grow up, and not leave my children parent-less. A kidney transplant will give me the energy and ability to resume (and discover) a more “normal” life, instead of sitting on the sidelines, constantly exhausted, watching life pass me by. It will help me not have to live in constant fear.
I am seeking a living donor because a deceased donor kidney is not an option for me, due to chronic infections caused by managing my disease. Healthy individuals only need one kidney to live a long, healthy life, and living donors often outlive the average person (Reference: Fehrman-Ekholm, Ingela 2,3; Transplantation, 64(7): 976-978, October 15, 1997), and report a number of psychological benefits from giving the gift of life. The cost of evaluation, surgery, and travel (if needed) are all covered by my insurance.
My family and I appreciate your consideration and willingness to learn more about living donation more than you’ll ever know. To learn more or start the process on seeing if you could be a viable donor, please reach out to the Christ Hospital donor coordinator at Breanna.Bronson@thechristhospital.com or 513-585-1427.