My first was as a child – never worried about the future and only focusing on the now. I fought hard in sports and in school, but I was not wanting for much more than that. I did not have an inkling of how lucky I was. My parents tell me I was always smiling and always on the move.
Then came Type 1 Diabetes. Like a truck, it wheeled over me and I felt damaged and alone. I managed it conservatively and, while doing so, ruined the very part of me that was happy and free. T1D felt like a prison.
One day I just said “stop”. I started living freely and irreverently. Nothing could stop me. I was young, well-educated and out to conquer the world. Of course, this lifestyle was not sustainable. The complications hit me worse than the diabetes had as a teenager and now I was not just damaged through my disease but also through my behavior.
Transplantation saved my life three times but my daughter, Liv, makes my life worth living each day. Without her, I would not have been able to return to feelings of happiness and freedom from paranoia, control and thoughts of giving up.
Today, on Independence Day, I celebrate freedom, in all shapes and forms. It might be a day without pain, a walk after not being able to, advocacy to push for change for more than just yourself, courage to share your thoughts and dreams, or simply smiling in the morning when waking up.
The Most Common Cancer in Immune-Suppressed Individuals
In 2024, more than 48,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States. Although solid organ transplant (SOT) is a life-saving treatment, unfortunately, recipients have elevated risk for many cancer types due to the medications transplant recipients take to avoid rejection of their new organ.
The highest increase in cancer rates for SOTs are most frequently associated with skin cancers. The immunosuppression medications (Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and others) impair the capacity of the immune system to repair UV-damaged cells, allowing these damaged cells to develop into cancers.
The four main types of skin cancer in organ recipients are:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): 100x higher risk
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC): 24x higher risk
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): 16x higher risk
Melanoma: 2x higher risk
Monitoring
Symptoms of skin cancer include new bumps or patches on the skin, or changes in the size, shape or color of skin growths. Frequent self-exams and (full body) screening examinations performed by a dermatologist are recommended for all SOTs. Generally speaking, an annual exam is sufficient. However, if any SCC is suspected/discovered during an exam, more frequent checks by a transplant dermatologist may make more sense (3/6/9-month intervals).
When performing self-exams, all skin should be checked for any changes in size, shape or color of skin growths or the development of new skin spots. This includes the scalp, ears (including on the insides), palms of hands, soles of feet, between toes, genital area and the area between the buttocks. Skin cancers may even manifest inside the eyes. Mirrors, magnifying glasses and even taking photographs can help to identify changes in skin over time.
Treatment
Most skin cancer is treatable if it’s caught early. Treatments include Mohs surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation.
The most common treatment for SCC is having the Mohs procedure/surgery performed. This procedure involves removal of thin layers of cancerous skin, one at a time. Each layer is examined under a microscope until normal tissue is found. Sometimes multiple sessions may be necessary. Unfortunately, the removal of tissue often leads to deficits that might require reconstructive surgery. Non-cancerous spots/markings that are identified may be “frozen” (cryotherapy) to destroy the affected cells. Early detection and treatment are critical for managing skin cancer, post-transplant.
Prevention
In most cases, skin cancer can be prevented. The best way to protect ourselves to avoid too much sunlight and sunburns. It is very important to implement effective sun protection strategies which most certainly should be prioritized. Some strategies include using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing and sunglasses, avoiding the sun during peak hours, and steering clear of tanning beds. However, much of the damage detected in an adult has been caused by sun exposure as a child, which is the reason why skin cancers in non-transplant recipients also occur to a higher extent in the elderly.
Transplant recipients wear a badge of honor everyday of their lives and are grateful to their organ donors and donor families for making the Gift of Life available to them. Prevention and close monitoring are key to avoid adding the term “cancer survivor” to the list of medical conditions.
Two years ago, I wasn’t sure what the future would hold. Sitting upright felt like running a marathon. I relied on a wheelchair to get around, and even the simplest tasks left me exhausted. Yet amid that uncertainty, one thing remained: hope. Hope is made possible by the life-changing gift of organ donation.
Recently, I completed my very first 5K walk.
That moment wasn’t just about miles. It was about the meaning behind each step. Every stride I took was a powerful symbol of resilience, gratitude, and transformation.
My transplant journey has been anything but easy. It’s been filled with moments of fear, physical setbacks, and emotional weight. There were days I wasn’t sure how I’d keep going. But I chose to rise anyway. With the unwavering support of my medical team, my family, and the transplant community, I kept moving forward—one step at a time.
Walking that 5K wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a tribute. A tribute to my donor, whose selfless gift gave me a second chance at life. A tribute to those still waiting for their miracle. And a message to the world that life after transplant is not just possible—it’s powerful.
To anyone facing a health battle of their own: don’t give up. Don’t count yourself out. Your body is capable of incredible things. Your spirit, even more so. With faith, determination, and a circle of support, healing can happen. I am walking and living proof of it.
My journey is far from over, but that day, I walked with strength, with purpose, and with deep, unshakable gratitude.
By: LaVise McCray
In early May, I celebrated 11 years with my living donor kidney. I received the Gift of Life courtesy of my close friend, Matthew, in 2014. I’m often asked how he came to give me a second chance at life and the truth is I owe it all to an electronics retail job we shared after college. We started as strangers but spent 40+ hour weeks together, endured stressful holiday sales, and forged a bond that only working in retail can provide.
As I reflect on the time since my surgery, I’m reminded of the ups and downs and all the major and miniscule moments along the way. I feel overly compelled to write a note to the version of Kevin who awoke in a recovery room with a freshly-transplanted kidney on May 6, 2014. I want to let him know what to expect and, most importantly, that things are going to be different, but OK!
The nurse has been calling your name for a few seconds, but with the general anesthesia wearing off and your hearing loss, it’s going to take a few extra moments for you to wake up and snap to attention. You’ll immediately recite your name and date of birth, before the nurse even gets the chance to ask you, and she’ll laugh. Your mind will immediately think of Matthew and you’ll learn he’s doing well in recovery. Your new kidney is making urine right away. Lots of it.
A few days later, back at home, you’ll hate walking up steps but the pain will subside in time. You’ll endure a temporary bout of insomnia but that’ll pass. A weekly pill organizer will become a part of your life as much as brushing your teeth.
You’ll be scared to be around large crowds, so you’ll mask in a society that hasn’t yet endured a devastating global pandemic. One time you won’t have a mask on and a small child will sneeze directly in your face at a pharmacy. You’ll be emotionally shaken but fine.
You’ll be scared to see the results of routine lab work…actually you’ll stay scared over the years. Sorry about that one. But you’ll trust your care team and listen to your body and that’s a solid plan. Eventually, you’ll become more accustomed to falling asleep without plugging into a dialysis cycler than the way it used to be for you.
You’ll get sick with random illnesses, as folks do, and require hospitalization. You’ll catch a virus that will cause the world to go on pause.
Connecting with fellow transplant patients will change your outlook on everything. One day you’ll talk less about transplant with these individuals and more about your favorite new TV shows. You’ll wish them Happy Transplantiversary every year and celebrate the birth of their children.
Working a typical 9-5 won’t be for you, so you’ll fall into renal patient advocacy and meet researchers, and nephrologists, and driven individuals who want to make life better for patients like you. You’ll travel all over the country and be inspired by too many folks to count.
You’ll go on vacation and swim with tropical fish and that moment of tranquility will be ingrained in your brain forever.
Your transplant-centric milestones and gratitude will only grow over time, as will your friendship with your donor and friend.
One day, you’ll write a blog about this long, strange trip and won’t be able to imagine life without it.
By Taryn Servold
Every April, we observe Donate Life Month, a national campaign to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. It’s a time to honor the donors who gave the gift of life and to encourage others to consider registering as donors.
For me, Donate Life Month hits home. I’m living proof of what’s possible when someone chooses to give — even in the midst of unthinkable loss.
Organ Donation: The Facts That Matter
Organ donation often gets overlooked in everyday conversations, but the need is real — and urgent:
There are over 100,000 people waiting for a transplant in the U.S., and around 85% of them need a kidney.
Every 8 minutes, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.
17 people die each day waiting for an organ that never comes.
One organ donor can save up to 8 lives — and improve the lives of 75 or more through eye and tissue donation.
Most people can be donors, regardless of age or medical history. Each case is reviewed individually at the time of death.
Living donors can also save lives — particularly when it comes to kidney and partial liver transplants.
Despite all this, only about 60% of Americans are registered as organ donors, and the demand far exceeds the supply.
My Life After August 14, 2022
Since my transplant, everything has changed. I no longer need insulin. My kidney function is strong. I feel better than I ever imagined possible — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.
Before the surgery, every day was filled with uncertainty. Now, I can plan. I can work. I can travel. I can enjoy life without constantly managing blood sugar and anticipating the fatigue of kidney failure.
And most importantly, I carry the legacy of my donor with me every single day. Their decision gave me a second chance, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of them — and their family — with the deepest gratitude.
How You Can Make a Difference
If you’ve ever wondered about becoming a donor, here’s how you can help:
Share your decision with your family. In a time of loss, knowing your wishes can bring peace and clarity to your loved ones.
Become a living donor. If you’re healthy, you could be the match someone desperately needs — today.
Spread awareness, especially during April. Wear blue and green on April 19th for National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, and share your story or support online.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to take life for granted — until you’re faced with losing it. I got my life back on August 14, 2022, thanks to someone I will never meet but will forever honor. That person — that donor — gave me more than just organs. They gave me freedom. They gave me time. They gave me tomorrows.”
As Easter passes, I reflect upon the concept of rebirth, as fantastic as it may seem, but today of all days it seems possible.
Is organ transplantation rebirth, a do-over, or is it simply the continuation of many years of battling chronic kidney disease with a degree of improvement?
The moment of the transplant, when the kidney starts working inside the body of the recipient, is nothing less than a miracle, only comparable to birth in medical terms. Based on my experience with three transplants, that euphoria continues for a time period after the procedure where gratitude and happiness are dominant while fear for the future is suppressed.
The recipient and the donor recover together in many cases, as it was in two of mine (father and sister) and create a bond stronger than they had before. That bond of course also includes complex feelings of fear for the donor’s future health, and fear of messing up the gifted kidney.
Over time, the new kidney settles in, and much of what the recipient could not do before is possible. In my case, I was able to work full time, travel, do sports, eat and drink freely and be happy since I was not so tired or in pain anymore.
However, over the long term, due to the lack of new and better immune suppressants to preserve the organ safely, the side effects and the complications become more serious and impact life in a major way. Headaches, tremors, hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, infections, cancers, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, as well as the decline of kidney function lead back to the situation prior to the transplant.
I have no illusions of living forever and even less of living without pain or suffering. It is part of life’s cycle to start healthy and new, and end old and broken.
All I am seeking is a little longer to enjoy the freedom and happiness. I savor the time before I have to go back to that broken state from where I was saved – not just once but twice.
Thank you Pappa and Lisa. And thank you to the family who decided to donate their daughter’s pancreas to me.
By Jeanmarie Ferguson
Without our medications, we cannot have a successful transplant journey. According to CVS Specialty Pharmacy, up to 20 percent of Kidney recipients are non-adherent to immunosuppressants. Once we have a transplant, anti-rejection medications are our new besties. We leave the hospital with so many new medications. How in the world can we possibly keep all of them organized? It can seem so overwhelming.
I put together a few tips that will help you get and stay organized. Transplant centers generally give you a game plan when you leave the hospital. My transplant center even set up all my prescriptions with a specialty pharmacy after surgery. Although all that worked out really well in the beginning, and initially it is all you think about. But as you start to heal from the surgery and feel better with more energy, life really begins. You begin living a fantastic life. After all, that is the whole point of receiving a transplant. Work, family, and friends take over your life. Your quality of life is now the best it’s been in years. You are consumed with going out to restaurants, seeing friends, going on trips, work, and family. The transplant can become a distant memory.
However, your medications cannot take a backseat to your newfound freedom. You cannot ever forget to take your medications. They will forever be the most important thing you can do to ensure your transplant is successful. When I first started out with my transplant in 2006, apps weren’t a thing. With apps, I have found, things can be so much easier to keep track of—especially keeping our medications organized.
I really love the Medisafe app. There are so many others available for free. Apple even has a health app. Sometimes it might seem silly to have an app to remind you to do something that you do every single day at the same time. But there are so many times that I am distracted with doing an activity. So, for me, it is beneficial. The apps are nice in also keeping a nice list of medications and doses. It’s easy to have an updated medication list for your doctor appointments.
Another use of apps that I have found to be extremely useful is the apps for the pharmacy that are available. I have my personal favorite pharmacy where I live. The app allows me to order medications or ask them to submit to the doctor for a refill. It’s convenient to be able to see all my prescriptions in one app. I like to use just one pharmacy for everything because they can keep track of interactions. The pharmacist caught an interaction of medications once that my doctor did not. It’s always good to have checks and balances.
I personally love to use pill organizers. I have tried all sorts of them over the years. Amazon has so many great ones to choose from. You can find one that will fit exactly what will work for your needs the best.
Something I have learned over the years that cannot be stressed enough is if you need help with your medications, ask. Ask your doctor. Ask anyone on the transplant team for help. Ask the Social Worker. Ask your Coordinator. They have lots of resources to be able to help you. We all can go through hard times. We can lose a job and lose our health insurance or we can switch insurance and there is a gap in coverage. Lots of life challenges can hinder getting your medications. Many of the pharmaceutical companies offer copay cards that assist in the payment of the copay. Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. The medications are so important to the success of the transplant and your life.
“Don’t be afraid to lean on others when the weight of the world feels too heavy.” -Unknown
By Jeanmarie Ferguson
One of my favorite things to do is travel. I love experiencing new places and people. I made the mistake of being afraid to travel initially after my transplant in 2006. However, I realized that with a little planning and paying attention to important details, I could and should travel. Traveling sparks a light in me and I feel more alive than ever. After being given a beautiful gift of life, I should get out into the world and explore.
In the last 10 years, I have traveled to different states and cities throughout the United States. There are so many beautiful places here. But now I am ready to embark on my very first international trip. This is by far the most significant goal and dream I have ever had. I have been in love with Italy and Italian art since I was 15 years old. I am so excited and nervous. I have been waiting for years for the right time. I decided there was no better time than now.
I started planning this trip years ago and then the pandemic happened. I postponed my dream once again. I allowed self-doubt to take over my thoughts, feeling that it wasn’t realistic to combine international travel and a transplant. The self-doubt was strong.
While scrolling through Instagram, I found an account called TravelsWithTransplant. I was so inspired by the tips Vanessa was providing for traveling with a transplant. It gave me a confidence boost to see all the magnificent places she has traveled with a transplant. That is when I decided I was going to make my dream a reality.
I reached out to Vanessa and discussed the trip I was about to take. And I shared my plans to write about it on Transplantlyfe. I had so many questions for her to help ease my thoughts about traveling.
Vanessa is such an amazing transplant recipient with an inspiring story herself.
Vanessa received her kidney transplant over 5 years ago, at age 33, as a result of progressive autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. As a career pilot, she has traveled extensively both pre and post-transplant. She credits a great deal of her success to budgeting extra time for her health, keeping plans flexible, and maintaining a positive attitude. She loves advocating travel solutions to the transplant and chronic illness communities who inspire her daily through their own life and travel journeys.
I asked her to share some of her top tips while traveling. She was so gracious in her response. I learned so many great things to make my trip go so much smoother and remove some of the anxiety about traveling so far from home.
My biggest concern with traveling internationally is knowing when to take my medications once I am in a completely different country. Vanessa recommended using the Medisafe app. I have been using it for a few months now. I like the daily reminders to take my meds. Without our anti-rejection medications, we can’t be successful with our transplant. Of course, talk to your transplant team for advice on how to handle the medications if traveling to a different country or time zone. My team recommends if I take my anti-rejection medications at 9 am and 9 pm Pacific Time, I will take them at 6 pm and 6 am in say Italy. They are 9 hours ahead of us. So the time I would take the anti-rejection pills will be 9 am and 9 pm Pacific time no matter where I am in the world.
Since our medications are the most important item that we take on our travels, they must always go in your carry-on bag. I also take an extra week of medications with me in case of any delays with getting back home.
Another important tip is that we must drink plenty of water. I noticed through some of my travels, that travelers don’t realize you can take an empty water bottle with you through TSA. Almost every airport I have been in has an area where you can fill your water bottle for free. I usually do it right away and one more time before I board the plane.
When I create my itinerary, I always allow for rest days. Sometimes after being on an airplane for a long period of time, with a time zone change, my body gets a bit upset. That is why I schedule those days to just rest at the hotel or wherever my accommodations are. It gives me a chance to enjoy the days that I have something awesome planned. And if I happen to feel just fine on a scheduled rest day, I will get out and explore. I think it’s important that we are gentle with our bodies. They’ve been through a lot.
I hope these tips have been helpful. And I hope they give you the courage to get out and live your life as you want. With a transplant, we have been given a beautiful gift of freedom from constant wires and hospitals. It is always best to partner with your care teams before going on a trip. The care team is always there to answer any questions that you may have about any travel plans.
Vanessa continues to inspire me with her wonderful travels! I asked her what her favorite places are that she’s traveled. She said: Cinque Terre, Italy, New Zealand (South Island), and Kyoto Japan. How cool are all those destinations? It opens up so many possibilities for us as transplant patients to get out into the world, taking safe precautions, of course.
I have shared many tips throughout this article. If you have any questions for Vanessa as you decide if you might take a vacation soon, feel free to reach out to Vanessa with any questions. Make sure to give her a follow on Instagram @TravelsWithTransplant for more travel tips.
“Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.” – Jamie Lyn Beatty
Hi! It’s Jeanmarie. I received my transplanted kidney from my father in January 2006. I’ve had many ups and downs over the last 17 ½ years with this kidney. I had gained weight from a combination of medications and/or lack of exercise from not feeling my best. Via a transplant, we can go from having dietary and fluid restrictions to “freedom”. We finally feel free post-transplant. At least I did.
I was so excited to have freedom with food again. Then my blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight increased around year four. I decided I needed to take control of the situation.
I had done extensive research and talked to my transplant and care team about going on a plant-based diet. They all agreed it would be very beneficial. About 3 months in, I lost weight, and my blood pressure and cholesterol started coming back down. My kidney also seems happier. So did the rest of my body. I had the energy again to start exercising.
It can sound daunting to change the way you eat. But the benefits are so amazing that it is worth the effort.
Melissa J. Webb, MA wrote in her article on Helio.com, “Nephrology professionals may not routinely recommend plant-based diets to patients with kidney disease due to concerns over patient acceptance and their ability to follow the diet plan, according to survey results. The results, presented virtually at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings, also highlighted a lack of patient knowledge regarding the benefits of such diets.”
When it comes to starting a plant-based diet, there is so much information on the internet and on social media. Some of it can be so contradictory, making you even more confused on where to start. There is a book that I love called, Plant-Based on a Budget, by Toni Okamoto. (Not sponsored.) It helped me figure out where to begin. There are tips on how to meal plan and prep. It even gives you grocery shopping lists. I love how it taught me how to make balanced meals throughout the week, making sure to not overdo it on protein but get a nice variety of nutrition.
Throughout the years, I have added to the recipes or started to incorporate other recipes I find online so I don’t get bored. I usually pick a day of the week to meal plan and prep for the week. The benefits of meal planning are two-fold. You are less likely to go out to a restaurant or eat fast food and you are not spending tireless hours in the kitchen throughout the week.
I start my morning with black coffee and a smoothie. I like to use Orgain protein. I found that it is the best inexpensive one out there. My morning smoothie recipe is:
You can add or take away anything to the smoothie. In order to not waste any produce, I will prepare and freeze everything. I always have these ingredients frozen and ready to go. This keeps me full until at least lunch. It gives me energy and I don’t find myself wanting to snack.
Some of the challenges I have had with a plant-based diet is eating too much of the processed vegan meats that there are on the market. At the start of the pandemic, I started to notice some stomach issues. I evaluated what I was eating and realized I was eating a lot of frozen vegan meats. At the time, I was trying to minimize the need to leave my house. Once I started eating more cleanly, the stomach issues went away. I feel that with all the transplant medications, we are prone to stomach problems.
I also found over the years that eating strictly too many raw vegetables, my stomach also becomes unhappy. According to an article on the Livestrong website, “Raw vegetables can be difficult to digest due to their high fiber content. However, not fully digesting them doesn’t equal “no benefit.” If raw veggies are a problem for you, cook them first or make sure you’re chewing well enough to take stress off your stomach and intestines.” (Note: making sure the raw veggies are thoroughly washed is especially critical for transplant patients and others on immune suppressive medication.)
The new obsession that I have added to my daily diet is ginger shots. They take away my inflammation. Any joint or muscle aches that I have are also gone. Ginger helps with digestion, reduces cholesterol and lowers blood sugar levels. They make me feel like I am a new woman. I use the recipe on the right but there are so many out there with different variations. You can also add turmeric. Keep in mind only 1 per day. Any more than that can actually cause heartburn.
I have been eating plant-based for 13 years now. My labs usually look very good despite having obvious transplant issues. I still continue to have ups and downs. The medications that we take for transplant can be rough on the body and may cause all sorts of other problems. I’ve been able to keep my body as happy as possible by eating plant-based.
“The beauty of food as medicine is that the choice to heal and promote health can begin as soon as the next meal.”- unknown.
Treat yourself with grace. Every day is different. Some days you can be a superhero and some days you can’t get out of bed. Both are equally beautiful and important.
