Hello, My name is David Pinilla. I am 24 years old and 3 months post kidney transplant. I’m feeling so alive and well it’s crazy the difference a transplant can do to someone. The reason for my transplant is when I was born the doctor noticed something not right with my urine as in I urinated blood and protein which meant my kidney was not filtering correctly. Later down in my life, around 10 years old my doctor decided to do a kidney biopsy to see what is truly happening. Turns out I had a genetic disorder called Alport Syndrome. Meaning the filtering in my kidneys was not working due to a blockage. Because of this, my kidney would start to fail, but doctor’s could not tell me when that would happen.
By the time I was 22 in July/August my doctor informed me that my kidney function was dropping drastically. Because of this, I needed to do PD Dialysis which I did for about 1 year until, thanks to Christ, I received a kidney that was a 100% match and had a living donor that was capable, as well, but for me I had a donor who unfortunately passed away but was able to donate the kidney to sustain my life which I can’t thanks enough. I have a 1 year old daughter who I love so much and do so much for and while in dialysis I felt like such a failure of a father but now I’m able to do much more and will contain to cherish every day with her and my family. Thanks to my new kidney.