This weekend was pretty intense. We hosted a KIDNEY KREW meeting for some of my closest friends to discuss new strategies in how we will find a kidney. It became clear that my friends did not realize how sick I am. With my new Kidney Campaign manager leading the meeting she made it clear that basically - my life was on the line. She answered questions on living donation, dialysis, past donor quality of life. It was very informative. We discussed outreach strategies and everyone left with tasks to complete.

We reached out to our first place of business to ask if we could place a flyer with my face on it driving people to my website/social media. We explained that I was in need of a kidney transplant and looking to drive awareness on living donation. The asst store manager told us that they would have to check in with the Store Manager and to come back in 15min. I went by myself to meet the store manager 20min later. She was caught off guard and when I showed her the flyer and asked if I could post the flyer or leave some cards - her immediate reaction was to ask “why do you need a kidney”? So then before I knew it there were tears running down my face. WHY DO I NEED A KIDNEY? It fell like she was yelling at me but she really wasn’t - she was quite compassionate. But I feel like this is a common thing where someone says something bad has happened and instead of the reaction of how can I help - we want to know WHY.

Anyways she then told me she would have to check in with corporate regarding the policy on hanging this flyer in the store. I left her my information and asked if she could call/text me once she’s heard back. The next morning I received this text message:

Hello Gisela. This is XXXXX from XXXXXX. I spoke to the owner and unfortunately we cannot hang any outside flyers in the store. He did however mention that if you had any kind of fundraiser arranged he would donate wine to the cause. Let us know if that would be something you might be interested in for the future. Best of luck :)

Which I read as: we checked our policy on hanging outside flyers and do not support advocating for you to save your life.

Which brings me to my next thing. Emotional Triggers. I need a kidney. I want to continue to live an amazing life. Aside from this whole kidney thing - I am a good time. I don’t want anyone to donate a kidney because just because they love me or feel sorry for me. That’s not enough. It has to be an informed decision. My new kidney might not be able to come from a someone I know but I know it’s going to come from someone who truly sees me. And says - that could be me and I want to help her.