Olea Creighton

Hi, my name is Olea Creighton, and on July 26, I celebrated my 50th birthday — a milestone that means more to me than words can express. I am a proud mother of six beautiful children — Glen, Eric, Paul, Alea, Nyla, and Nyré. While most of them are grown, my twin daughters, Nyla and Nyré, just turned sixteen. They are my heart and my drive — and the reason I fight every single day.

This is my story of resilience, love, and faith — and why I am humbly asking for your help.

💔 It All Started with Preeclampsia

In 2008, I found out I was pregnant with twins. I was already a mom of four, but the thought of welcoming two new lives filled me with both joy and fear. Midway through my pregnancy, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia — a dangerous pregnancy complication that attacks the organs, especially the kidneys, and was placed on bed rest. This diagnosis required close monitoring, which included frequent check-ups, exams, blood work, ultrasounds, and premature delivery.

In February 2009, I gave birth to two healthy baby girls and was overjoyed that my babies had arrived safely. Unbeknownst to me, the toll on my body was irreversible. My kidneys had been severely damaged, and I would later begin a long, painful journey that would change my life forever.

⏳ The Countdown to Dialysis and Transplant

In 2016, I scheduled and completed my annual physical exam with my primary care physician. I was later called back into the office to discuss my blood work results. At that time, I was informed that my kidney function had dropped to 40%.

I was devastated upon hearing this news and became more distraught when I learnt that a biopsy of my Kidney was necessary to determine the cause of the failure at such an early age. The results confirmed that the preeclampsia I developed while pregnant with twins had irreversibly damaged my kidneys. I was then told that all they could do was monitor my kidney function and that dialysis was inevitable.

By 2019, my kidney function had dropped to 25% and I began training for dialysis. Shortly after, I started Peritoneal Dialysis, a home-based treatment that allowed me to care for my family while fighting for my health. Later that year, on October 1st, I was placed on the transplant list, and, on December 14, 2019, I received the most incredible gift — my first kidney transplant from a deceased donor.

That kidney gave me hope, strength, and the ability to continue being a mother. But even with the best care and medication, transplanted kidneys do not last forever — and a kidney from a deceased donor has a shorter life expectancy than one from a living donor.

🧳 A New Chapter in Atlanta… and a Setback

In July 2024, I made the brave decision to move from Maryland to Atlanta, Georgia, with my twins. I had arranged care with a new transplant team before the move, but within weeks of arriving, my health began to decline. By September 2024, my transplanted kidney had dropped to just 14% function. Once again, I was devastated to hear the news that I was back in “kidney failure,” and although it was a step backwards, this was my reality, and I needed to act fast.

Initially, I did not want to go through this all over again. The grim reminder of the pain, scars, process to be eligible for the Kidney Transplant list, and the surgeries were way too much to bear. However, I prayed and, with the love and support of my family and friends, made the final decision to fight!

I opted for Peritoneal Dialysis again to be home with my twins, as they are now in high school and need my support. I was scheduled for surgery to place the port and registered for training. However, the training was unsuccessful due to too much scar tissue, and I was then scheduled for surgery to remove the port from my stomach and to place an emergency port in my chest for Hemodialysis. This year alone, I have undergone four surgeries, including two on the same day.

Now, I am undergoing Hemodialysis three times a week — every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Hemodialysis is done at a facility where a machine filters my blood to remove waste and excess fluids, before returning the cleaned blood to my body. But there’s hope again: in July 2025, I was officially re-listed on the Kidney Transplant list for a second kidney transplant —and this time, with a living donor.

🌟 The Gift of Life — and the Cost of Saving It

I am incredibly blessed to have someone in my life who has stepped forward to give me the gift of life — a living kidney donor who is now undergoing the evaluation process. He is the father of two beautiful minor children. While health insurance covers the medical expenses for the transplant, it does not cover non-medical expenses associated with this life-saving procedure. That is where we need help.

Your donation will help us cover critical out-of-pocket costs for my donor, including:

-Airfare to and from his home state of Pennsylvania

-Hotel stay after surgery and for the duration of recovery

-Transportation for post-op appointments

-Healthy meals and nutrition support

-Support for his family while he is healing and unable to work

🫶 Why We Need You

This journey has tested me in every possible way — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. However, I love God, have faith, and I am not giving up. I have too much to live for. I am fighting not just for myself, but for my children, my family, and the people who love and depend on me.

This transplant will save my life. But we cannot do it alone.

Whether you can give $10 or $100, every single donation matters, even if you’re unable to give; simply sharing my story helps more than you know. We are not just raising money — we are spreading awareness about kidney disease, transplant disparities, and the power of community.

🙏 Thank You

Thank you for reading my story, for lifting us in prayer, and for standing with me during this challenging time. Your love, kindness, and generosity mean the world to me and my family.

With gratitude and hope,

Olea Creighton

#OleaStrong #KidneyWarrior #TransplantHope #LivingDonorHero #ThirdChanceAtLife