Andrea considers herself one lucky woman, although it is apparent that her success in life is due to her positive outlook in the face of adversity, her faith, and the generosity of an organ donor. A healthy child and teen, Andrea suffered kidney failure at the age of nineteen for reasons doctors could not explain. She spent seventeen days in the hospital and was told her only options were to immediately begin dialysis and to receive a kidney transplant.

For the next eleven years, she endured three-hour dialysis sessions three times per week that sapped her energy and waited for the opportunity to receive a donated kidney. It was difficult to schedule life around dialysis and Andrea’s body was worn out, causing her to become isolated, miss family functions and go into survival mode, living from one dialysis treatment to the next. However, Andrea never succumbed to negativity in her life and stayed focused on her goals and dreams. “Even on days I felt my worst, I used positive affirmations to keep my spirits up. I knew I would have a life of success.”

In December 1999, Andrea found out that her younger sister had been evaluated as a kidney donor and was a perfect match; their surgery was scheduled for March 2000. Their surgery was put on hold a short time later when her sister found out she was pregnant. A few days later, while at church, Andrea’s pager buzzed and she was told there was a kidney available for her.

A mix of emotions ensued and Andrea turned to her faith. While getting ready to go to the hospital, she spoke to God about what lay before her and had a life-changing experience. “There was an assurance in my spirit that everything was going to be okay.” Things began to move fast and Andrea had another realization – for eleven years she had been tied to a machine and now, overnight, there was the potential for her life to change drastically.

Immediately after her transplant, Andrea suffered a mental blow; the kidney did not work and she had to go back on dialysis. Luckily, that only lasted a few weeks; just before Christmas in 1999, Andrea’s new kidney began to work. She has been free of dialysis since that day. “My health, energy and outlook started to pick up and I knew my life had changed. My kidney transplant gave me hope.”

Today Andrea is self-employed as a successful financial analyst, working on receiving her final two brokerage licenses. She is at peace with her life and enjoys traveling, growing her business and spending time with family and friends.

“It’s overwhelming what human beings can do, and to have the chance to save someone else’s life is incredible.”