DONOR | Yolanda's Story

Yolanda Beene

Tijuana Tetter Needs A LIVING Kidney DONOR

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask..". So I am asking

Tijuana is my older sister. She has been my friend from the beginning. She is my confidante and my voice of reasoning. Without her I probably would have flew of the handle a thousand times. I admire her calmness. I admire that she is always willing to step in and help no matter what she is going through.

Even though she never shows it, I know the kidney failure has slowed her life down. She loves to travel and because she has 12 hours of dialysis her days are literally halted and limited. If you thing about it, out of 365 days she only has 182 days for activities! She misses out on the water activities she loves.

A transplant for Tijuana would mean life again! It would mean returning to the excellent Aunt she is. It would mean I would have my road dog again! It would mean she could visit her son more often without all the preparation needed now. It would mean laughter and relief again.

If I could I would give her mine, but unfortunately I am unable. I encourage and ask anyone to consider donating a kidney. Let the joy outweigh the fear of being a donor. Because really, you're continuing your life while saving another. How joyous is that! Please be a part of fulfilling my sister's life.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Become Tijuana Tetter's Donor

If you are considering being a living donor please use links below to contact Tijuana Tetter's Transplant Center. Begin by completing the donor questionnaire

Becoming a Kidney DONOR Find a Transplant Center near you

University of Alabama at Birmingham

619 South 20th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35233

(205) 975-9200 Email Transplant Center

Did you know?

Medical expenses for living organ donors are 100% covered, and inquires from potential donors are 100% confidential! Contact the Transplant Center to learn more about living donation.

More Donor FAQs

Share the Importance of Living Donation

There are currently 120,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S. Of these, 100,000 await kidney transplants.

The median wait time for a kidney transplant is 3-5 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility, and where you live.

In 2014, 17,107 kidney transplants took place in the U.S. Of these, 11,570 came from deceased donors and 5,537 came from living donors.

Every 14 minutes someone is added to the kidney transplant waitlist.

A kidney from a living donor lasts longer and begins functioning more quickly than a kidney from a deceased donor.

In 1995, kidney donation became minimally invasive with a procedure called laparoscopic nephrectomy, which only requires four small incisions. Hospital stay is typically only 3 days after this operation.

Not blood type compatible with your recipient to be a living donor? Kidney Paired Donation (the “kidney swap” program) enables incompatible candidates with a living donor to receive a kidney from a compatible donor.

Last year, over 700 living donor kidney transplants occurred using Kidney Paired Donation.

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Yolanda's Patient

Tijuana

Kidney DONOR NEEDED

Your Blessing can provide a second chance.

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