Mead Woman Counting On Kindness Of Strangers For Kidney Donation
MEAD, Colo. (CBS4)- A woman from Mead is counting on the kindness of strangers in her search for a kidney donor.
Brooke Graham is a school teacher who has taken her campaign about Colorado's long kidney transplant wait list to social media.
"Everything is on hold. Your whole life is on hold," said Graham.
Graham spends 11 hours a day hooked up to an at-home dialysis machine.
When she was younger it was discovered that one of Graham's kidneys had never fully developed. During a medical procedure her other kidney failed.
When she was 24 years old, Graham's sister, Heather, donated a kidney which saved her life. Now that kidney is also failing.
In addition to her social media campaign about the long wait lists for kidney recipients, Graham has made bumper stickers. She's also hoping to connect with a match.
"The whole process I'm promoting all this and ultimately wanting a kidney but then when somebody does actually call it's like, 'OMG this is amazing,'" said Graham.
The wait times for organ transplants can take up to seven years.
Graham struggles with the realization that she needs someone else's help to survive.
"It's the most amazing gift anybody could give and there is no way you could repay it. You just thank God that somebody out there is just so selfless," said Graham.
Graham is starting to hear from complete strangers who may be matches for her or someone else in need.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Kidney for Brooke: kidneyforbrooke@gmail.com
Contact Neshiyqah Nash, Living Donor Coordinator, University of Colorado Hospital 720-848-0855 or neshiyqa.nash@uchealth.org
