“I would never imagine that I could make a difference in someone’s life”
- David
3:24 sec video
PAPER EDIT DAVID RODRIGUEZ
David:
In 2020, Hispanic recipients were roughly four times less likely to receive a living donor kidney transplant, and black recipients were roughly six times less likely to receive a living donor transplant.
These numbers make me sad. You are more than a number, I am more than a number.
I had some abdominal pain once I was at work and I ended up at the hospital. And after a while, a group of doctors came over and they told me that I was at stage five kidney failure.
GRAPHIC: Stage 5 Kidney Failure
facing dialysis three times a week at four hours during the day, it was one of those most difficult things that I had to go through.
GRAPHIC: 3 Times a Week flips to 4 Hours a Day
I had to resign from my work. it was completely 180 losing my job and then to rely on government assistance and had to move back to my parents’ house.
GRAPHIC: 180 with the degree symbol
After two years, I got tired of driving four hours. And so, I decided to move to San Antonio to be closer to the transplant center.
Being independent and having a disease is very difficult, especially for a person like myself.
Anything that they would tell me to do, I would do it. Anything that has to be done even though I was exhausted, even though I was broke, but I would still make that effort to do whatever what needed to be done in order for me, in case they did call me for a transplant.
I had an empty apartment with an air mattress, a TV on the floor, and a prayer candle.
I lived like that until I got the phone call from my transplant coordinator, that I was part of a paired exchange donation, that a living kidney donor had come forward, and my prayers were answered.
On the day of my transplant, it took four hours for the surgery
GRAPHIC: 4 Hours
Like so many other patients after my kidney transplant, I wanted to pay it forward. In fact, I made it my profession.
Two months after my kidney transplant, I was hired to work at the marketing department with the Transplant Center who performed my transplant. I continued to be an advocate. I got involved with my community. I got involved nationally with organizations to promote kidney awareness.
Part of my advocacy is to focus on the disparity of people here around our Hispanic community here in South Texas.
I visit dialysis units, an average of 200 dialysis units per year.
The greatest of honor that I have is when I get approached from someone that says, "You educated me enough to come forward and donate my organ to my father or to my mother."
Everybody has an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives by learning about kidney donation.
One important message that I'd like to share as an advocate is also to be your own advocate. Learn more about yourself. Learn more about getting involved in support groups. Educate yourself. Get involved in your community.
When we share our stories, when we advocate for each other, we may help a loved one shorten their time on a wait list. When we educate one another, we may encourage someone to become a donor. Remember, you are more than a number.
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MAT-US-2401391-v1.0-05/2024
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