03/16/2025
"In 2021, my life took a turn I never saw coming. What began as a visit to the emergency room for what I thought was routine pain turned into the discovery of something life-changing: I had polycystic kidney disease. My kidneys were failing, and I would need a transplant to survive. The diagnosis hit hard. I tried to process the idea of a transplant while undergoing tests and evaluations, only to be dealt another blow—doctors found a problem with my heart. Before I could even be considered for a kidney transplant, I would need open-heart surgery to replace a valve. In 2022, I faced that surgery head-on, knowing it was the first step toward saving my life. Recovery was slow and painful, but I held onto hope.
That hope became real in 2023 when my sister, Adriana, stepped forward as my kidney donor. She was a match–my miracle. Without hesitation, she gave me the greatest gift anyone could give. Her decision didn’t just save my life; it changed it in every way. The transplant was a success, and with her kidney, I found not just health but a second chance at life. I owe my sister everything. Her strength, love, and selflessness gave me a future I wasn’t sure I’d have. Now, I wake up every day with a grateful heart. I live for the moments I once feared I’d lose, all thanks to my sister. She’s my hero, and I’ll never stop being thankful for the life she’s given me." –Larry 💙💚 Learn more about living kidney donation: https://donatelife.net/donation/types/living-donation/
