A 4 A.M. Call—and the Gift of Another Chapter
One year ago, Jeanmarie Ferguson was living with kidney failure and preparing for end-of-life care. Her health had declined to the point where, as she describes it, she could feel her body dying.
Then, at 4 a.m., the phone rang.
At first, Jeanmarie thought someone might be playing a joke on her. Instead, she received the news she had been waiting and hoping for: a kidney was available.
That call changed everything.
Today, Jeanmarie is celebrating the first anniversary of her kidney transplant—a life-changing gift from an anonymous organ donor. LifeSharing recently helped Jeanmarie tell the story of that early-morning call, her transplant, and the gratitude she carries for the person whose decision gave her another chapter.
[WATCH JEANMARIE’S LIFESHARING VIDEO]
Turning Lived Experience Into Support
Jeanmarie’s story is especially meaningful to ReMend because she is now part of our team. She brings more than professional skill to her work. She brings the perspective of someone who understands the fear, uncertainty, exhaustion, and hope that can accompany kidney failure and transplantation.
Those of us who have lived with kidney disease know that medical information is only one part of the journey. Sometimes, we also need to speak with someone who understands what it feels like to wait for answers, adjust to a changing body, make difficult decisions, or hope for a transplant call.
That is why patient stories matter. One person’s experience cannot predict exactly what another person will face, but it can help someone feel seen, understood, and less alone.
Could You Help Change Someone’s Story?
Jeanmarie received her kidney from an anonymous organ donor. Living kidney donation offers another potential path to transplant for some patients.
A living kidney donor may be a family member, friend, coworker, community member, or someone who chooses to donate to a person they do not know. Learning about donation does not create an obligation to proceed. The process begins with education and a confidential evaluation through a transplant center.
If you have ever wondered whether living kidney donation might be right for you, contact a transplant center to learn about the evaluation process, potential risks, recovery, and available support.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Kidney Disease Alone
If you are living with chronic kidney disease, receiving dialysis, preparing for a transplant, adjusting to life after transplant, or supporting someone you love, ReMend is here.
Our mentors offer encouragement and practical perspective based on lived experience. Mentorship does not replace medical care, but it can provide something equally human: a conversation with someone who understands.
Connect with ReMend to request a mentor, learn more about living donation, or find support for the road ahead.
Because no one should have to navigate kidney disease alone.
