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HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

Get to know my journey!

Contact Me

HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

Get to know my journey!

Contact Me

About Me

Dear Friends,

First and foremost, thank you for being on this journey with me. Just you being here means the world to me.

My name is Dana Trawick. I was diagnosed with Lupus SLE and kidney disease. From the age of 16 years old, the road to wellness has been a challenging one. As I was completing the Philadelphia High School for Girls and furthering my post-secondary education, I was also battling with my health. I was striving to live the highest quality of life while battling two very debilitating conditions. I can only say that it was pure perseverance and my faith that saw me through that time.

While attending Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (undergraduate) and Bryn Mawr College (graduate) to earn degrees in Sociology and Social Work, I aimed to stay active in campus activities, including student government, internships, and my sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. At a young age, managing academics, social activities, and medical care was often overwhelming. Through it all, I have been blessed to work as as a child therapist. I have also been able to travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Over time, this kidney disease has gotten worse causing my kidneys to function at a low capacity that is not sustainable for life. This is the grim reality that I now face, and treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. A transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. A transplant would also give me more time to do the fun things I enjoy most and leave my mark on this world. I currently receive regular dialysis treatments (three times a week for four hours at a time) which helps my kidneys do their job, but that is not a long term solution. Simply put, I need a kidney.

Finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Just ask the 100,000+ people on the waiting list. Time is not on our side. Some wait for years; as the average wait time is five years or more for a deceased donor (meaning a person who has passed away and was an organ donor). However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function. Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. I have battled lupus for over 24 years quietly and aimed to keep a brave face. Now is the time for transparency in asking for the gift of life.

let's talk about the process

I didn’t know much about living kidney donation before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, people need more information, so allow me to share with you what I know. Here’s some basic facts about the surgery, and what it would mean to live with one kidney after donation :

You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.
The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this.
You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.
If ever you need any organ in the future, you are placed as priority for transplant at the top of the recipient list.

You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or nkfcares@kidney.org. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NKF can also help. My Transplant Nurse Coordinator Ms. Rita Perry at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital is also available to directly consult about the donor journey (please see: HOW IT WORKS)

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me.

I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Please share my story with everyone you know. At the very least, I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney soon and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list. Thank you for learning about my journey and how you can give the gift of life!

Thank you,

Dana Joy

HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. -Serena Williams

About Me

let's talk about the process

Connect with Donor for Dana on Facebook

HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

HELLO AND WELCOME! I am dana Trawick, MPA MSS

You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. -Serena Williams

About Me

let's talk about the process

Connect with Donor for Dana on Facebook

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