Canfield native Shannon Hephner is in need of a new kidney. Hephner was diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy, an autoimmune disorder that affects the kidneys, six years ago. Despite managing her condition with medication and a healthy lifestyle, Shannon’s kidneys became too scarred when she decided to start a family. Initially, her mother Diane stepped forward as a potential donor, but it was discovered that she had a mass on her kidney that needed to be removed, disqualifying her as a donor for her daughter.
Now, Shannon is on a waiting list for a compatible kidney. If a compatible donor is not found, the Hephner women can participate in a kidney swap, where Donor 1 can donate their kidney to Recipient 2 and vice versa. Currently, there are over 90,000 people on the transplant wait list according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Shannon remains hopeful that she will receive a new kidney soon so she can fulfill her dream of starting a family. To learn more about Shannon Hephner’s story, or to find out how you can help, visit her website.
