Organ Donors Bless Us With New Life!

Welcome back Kidney Warriors! There is no better blessing during the Christmas season then the Gift of Life! Today I want to share another Kidney Warrior's journey with kidney disease. She is such an inspiration to me and I hope she will be an inspiration to you as well. Her name is Barbara Breckenridge and she is the Community Relations Director for the Northeast Kidney Foundation in Buffalo, New York. After a long, tough battle with CKD Barbara was blessed with the ultimate gift, the Gift of Life when her donor family decided to donate their loved one organs. 

On July 31,1999, Barbara finally received the call, the call of a lifetime, the call that would change her life. At the age of 50 and a three and a half year battle on hemodialysis it was finally her time. And she is not wasting it, on top of working for Northeast Kidney to help promote organ donors and to provide families with the education, love. and support they need she also is a U.S and a World Transplant Games athlete. Barbara has won over 30 medals, which have all been given to her transplant center and organ procurement organizations, in track and field and recently participated in the World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa. 

 "Try the games once and you're hooked" commented Barbara when asked " what advice would you give to someone who just had a transplant and wanted to compete in the games?" Barbara is motivated to compete in the games "to inspire others and to give them hope, to promote organ donation and transplantation, to honor those who have given the gift of life to all the athlete's. None of us would be attending the games if not for them." She also commented when asked "How did it feel to represent the U.S.A. at the World Transplant Games?" "It was some of the most exciting and proudest times of my life and also very educational." 

Some of Barbara's greatest adventures have included; meeting people from all around the world while forming bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. Relating with others based on illnesses and transplantation. And simply having the time of her life. She is looking forward to competing again at the Houston U.S. Transplant Games in July 2014. 

When I asked Barbara "What advice would you give someone who has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease?" she replied "Talk with someone who has been there, educate yourself about the disease, work closely with your medical professionals, involve family members/care~givers, join a support group and by all means be complaint! Barbara's final thoughts and perspective on chronic kidney disease and going through a kidney transplant where she learned the importance of organ donation and appreciation of organ donors. She learned to always have hope, no matter how bad a situation seems to never give up. Live each day to the fullest and try to make a difference in the life's of others. Although she has never met her donor family she thanks God for them each and every day. Her mission in life is to help other families dealing with chronic kidney disease with giving them the love, education, support and hope they need. Her work with the Northeast Kidney Foundation has given her the opportunity to do this. Although she has had a long, tough journey her new kidney has given her a new hope and a new life. She is living some the most productive years of her life! 

As you can see Barbara is such an inspiration and I'm so happy she would share her journey with all of us. She is living proof of that organ donation Saves Lives! Today there are 99,052 waiting for lifesaving kidney transplants including myself. Please during this Christmas season open your heart and become an organ donor if your not already. Start a conservation with your family and help spread the word  about the need for organ donors!  

Thank you for joining me once again on this journey. I look forward to your comments, questions or concerns. 

Keep on fighting, you Kidney Warriors! 

~Kidney Blogger