Brianna Herrera, a 19-year-old music education student at Kutztown University, is currently undergoing dialysis for 10 hours every night while studying at her dorm room. She has been in need of a kidney donation for several years and until then, has been taking care of herself. Herrera was initially unaware of her illness, as she experienced no symptoms until her senior year of high school. However, after being introduced to the Gift of Life program by her transplant coordinator, she decided to share her story and raise awareness for others in similar situations.
Herrera has had two false calls for a kidney donation and is now hopeful that the third time will be the charm. According to Rick Hasz, President and CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program, there are over 100,000 patients in the US in need of organ donations. Herrera believes that once the transplant becomes a reality, she will be able to reclaim her life back.
