One common question is, 'Were you an alcoholic?' The answer is no; I never drank, smoked, or used any kind of drugs. My kidney disease stemmed from uncontrolled high blood pressure. Another frequent query is, 'So you don't urinate at all because your machine does it for you?' I still go to the bathroom, but not as frequently. Lastly, people often ask, 'Couldn't you stay on dialysis forever?' While some people have been on dialysis for 20 years or more, it's often due to underlying conditions that make a transplant difficult or impossible. I am, thankfully, listed as an ideal candidate for a transplant. For more information about life after donation for a recipient, please visit: kidney.org - What to expect after donation.

What are the most important things you want someone to understand after reading your blog, especially about finding a living donor or the journey of fighting for a transplant?

The most crucial takeaway is that you can truly change someone's life. While there might be a period of discomfort for both the donor and recipient after surgery, I deeply hope you understand that a bit of temporary discomfort is more than worth improving someone's quality of life. As a donor, you would also gain an entire new family from your incredible act of kindness.