First published 2024-10-21 17:31:42

Over 100,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, with many enduring long periods of uncertainty and health struggles. Lee Barnes, a Washington D.C. resident and a long-time supporter of cancer and HIV/AIDS causes, is one such individual. In 2016, Barnes was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease during a routine check-up, and since then, he has been battling his condition. Despite multiple attempts to receive a transplant—including offers from family members and colleagues—he has yet to find a suitable donor.

Barnes is now dependent on dialysis several times a week, a time-consuming and physically demanding process that requires up to four and a half hours of his day. He remains committed to working and staying active but struggles with fatigue and the mental toll of his condition. His ultimate hope is to receive a kidney and reclaim a normal life. In the meantime, he continues to raise awareness about kidney disease and organ donation, participating in the National Capital Area kidney Walk, where he plans to walk as far as his health allows.

The dire need for kidney donors is highlighted by the staggering statistic that 17 people die each day while waiting for a kidney transplant, with a disproportionate number of those waiting located in the Washington D.C. area. Experts emphasize the critical need for more donors, urging individuals to consider kidney donation to help alleviate this ongoing health crisis. As Barnes’s story underscores, the search for a match can be long and complicated, but the hope of receiving a life-saving transplant remains a beacon for thousands in need.