An Abilene mother of seven, Kelsey Daughtery, continues to work while waiting for a kidney transplant. Daughtery undergoes dialysis, which often leaves her feeling dizzy and groggy. However, she remains determined to take care of her children and live life to the fullest. Diagnosed with a kidney disease at birth, Daughtery’s condition worsened in 2021, leading to renal failure and the need for dialysis. She is currently on the waitlist for a kidney transplant, but the waiting period can be challenging for those in need. National Donate Life Month is raising awareness about the need for donors to help those waiting for transplants.
Kelsey Daughtery’s resilience and dedication to her family serve as an inspiration, as she hopes to provide for her children and set an example of strength. Southwest Transplant Alliance’s Marketing and Communications Director, Kelli James, emphasizes that there are approximately 100,000 individuals waiting for organ transplants in the United States, with 10,000 of them residing in Texas. The month-long observance aims to encourage more people to become organ donors and recognize those who have made lifesaving donations.
Important resources like Donate Life America, OrganDonor.gov, and the Southwest Transplant Alliance actively promote organ donation during April, educating the public about its benefits and the urgent need for donors. In Abilene, a flag raising ceremony at Hendrick Medical Center South marks the significance of National Donate Life Month and the impact donors and their families make in transforming lives.
