Local kidney recipient shares amazing story about her transplant journey with AKF
Denise Riley Mitchell has always been a huge supporter and donator for the Alabama Kidney Foundation because of her father’s own battle with kidney disease. However, she never thought that she would actually need the support of the kidney foundation for herself.
An accidental visit to the doctor revealed that Denise’s kidneys were in trouble and she needed to be put on dialysis until she could find a replacement kidney. Denise thought her wait would take years, but then her brave and selfless daughter stepped forward and offered her own kidney. Except, her daughter’s tissue didn’t match and they were back to square one, or so they thought.
The doctor’s explained that the mom and daughter could be a part of an exchange program where her daughter would donate her kidney to a patient who needed it and someone else would donate their kidney to Denise. Through that kidney exchange, Denise got a second chance at life.
It has been 2 and a half years since her kidney transplant, and Denise now works with the Alabama Kidney Foundation and encourages other dialysis patients as they wait on the transplant list.
With all she does through the Alabama Kidney Foundation, they decided to make Denise the Honorary Patient Chair for the 2024 Montgomery Kidney Walk.
It may just be a walk for others, but Denise now sees it as the biggest step forward in her recovery and journey.
You can meet Denise at the Montgomery Kidney Walk that will take place Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 a.m. at the Riverwalk Stadium. For more information on how you can get involved in this year’s kidney walk, visit www.montgomerykidneywalk.org.
