As she experienced end-stage renal failure, Frances V. Gilmore endured 10 hours of dialysis every night to stay alive. She began fundraising with Help Hope Live in May 2012 for a lifesaving kidney transplant. She is the fourth and final winner of our 2017 Touched by Transplant “New Life” Contest in recognition of April’s Donate Life Month.
“I am so honored by my living kidney donor, Sandi Hamilton-Spall.
I was on peritoneal dialysis for two years because of a family history of high blood pressure that affected my mom, my older brother, and myself. I was my mom’s caregiver in the 70s until she got a kidney transplant in ’79. Her body rejected the deceased-donor kidney in ’82. I lost my brother in 2013 [when] he stopped dialysis.
I got sick in 2010. Never in my life did I think I would be traveling down the same path my mom had. I remembered how hard it was for her.
When I joined the kidney transplant waiting list, I posted on social media and asked my friends if anyone had a good, healthy kidney they wanted to give me. My childhood friend, Sandi, who I had lost contact with for 20 years, came to Texas for a visit that year. She offered me her kidney.
Sandi and Frances on the day of their transplant.
I received my beautiful kidney “Creedy” on September 11, 2012.
Sandi saved my life. I always considered her a sister growing up and she proved just how special of a person she is by stepping up and being there for me. She will always be my hero and ‘sister.’”
We loved hearing Frances’ Touched by Transplant story. Find updates and more on the Help Hope Live campaign page in honor of Frances at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/1370
As she experienced end-stage renal failure, Frances V. Gilmore endured 10 hours of dialysis every night to stay alive. She began fundraising with Help Hope Live in May 2012 for a lifesaving kidney transplant. She is the fourth and final winner of our 2017 Touched by Transplant “New Life” Contest in recognition of April’s Donate Life Month.
“I am so honored by my living kidney donor, Sandi Hamilton-Spall.
I was on peritoneal dialysis for two years because of a family history of high blood pressure that affected my mom, my older brother, and myself. I was my mom’s caregiver in the 70s until she got a kidney transplant in ’79. Her body rejected the deceased-donor kidney in ’82. I lost my brother in 2013 [when] he stopped dialysis.
I got sick in 2010. Never in my life did I think I would be traveling down the same path my mom had. I remembered how hard it was for her.
When I joined the kidney transplant waiting list, I posted on social media and asked my friends if anyone had a good, healthy kidney they wanted to give me. My childhood friend, Sandi, who I had lost contact with for 20 years, came to Texas for a visit that year. She offered me her kidney.
I received my beautiful kidney “Creedy” on September 11, 2012.
Sandi saved my life. I always considered her a sister growing up and she proved just how special of a person she is by stepping up and being there for me. She will always be my hero and ‘sister.’”
We loved hearing Frances’ Touched by Transplant story. Find updates and more on the Help Hope Live campaign page in honor of Frances at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/1370
