DONOR | Karen's Story

Karen Tolbert-Givens

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

When days get tough I always remember my motto " I control dialysis, dialysis doesn't control me"

“From the moment you meet her you can tell she has a heart of gold and exuberates so much strength and energy.”
Hello,
My name is Mrs. Karen Tolbert-Givens and I am hoping to find a kidney donor.

Chronic kidney disease is a problem that I have been dealing with for fifteen years. Unfortunately, over time my kidney disease has continued to progress to the extent that I will need a kidney transplant. The effects and treatments required to combat it have been a constant stress on my mind, body, and soul.
When days get tough I always remember my motto " I control dialysis, dialysis doesn't control me". Since 2006, I’ve been doing different types of dialysis (in-center, at home, and P.D. dialysis) all while still working to support myself and my family as an owner of a Salon and Spa for 10 years. This treatment often leaves me feeling tired and makes it difficult to do the things I enjoy, like going to church, traveling, playing board games.

I look forward to the day that I can get my normal life back. I have been married for 33 years and we have two biological daughters, three adopted daughters and have been foster parents for 15 years. We enjoy spending quality time together as a family, keeping the faith and fundamentals of family is important in our lives. It would be a blessing to be able to continue to live life without the constant concerns for my health.

I am on the waiting list for a kidney, however that can often take years to get a match. I am hoping to find a living donor because to improve my quality of life. A living donor would mean so much to me because it will allow me to travel more freely and live my life to the fullest while having more time with my family and friends. I would be grateful if you could help me find a match by getting tested or sharing this information with your own network of friends, family and community.

I sincerely thank you,
Mrs. Karen Tolbert-Givens

START YOUR JOURNEY

Become Karen Tolbert-Givens's Donor

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

Fill Out DONOR Questionnaire
(INQUIRES ARE 100% CONFIDENTIAL)

Becoming a Kidney DONOR Find a Transplant Center near you

Henry Ford Hospital

2799 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI, 48202

(313) 916-1269 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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