Nurse and New Mom Who Survived Kidney Failure Once Needs Second Donor After Preeclampsia
>> See if you qualify to donate - click here!
An ICU nurse in New Jersey is turning to social media in hopes of helping one of her closest friends find a life-saving kidney donor.
Tara Larose, a critical care nurse who works in a Level I Intensive Care Unit, reached out to raise awareness for her friend Destiny, a fellow nurse, new mother, and kidney transplant recipient who is once again facing renal failure.
“Destiny is one of my dearest friends,” Larose shared. “She is a kind, compassionate, gentle soul who has had a difficult journey, yet keeps the most positive spirit.”
A Nurse Who Has Already Survived Kidney Failure Once
Destiny’s journey with kidney disease began more than a decade ago. After going into renal failure, she was placed on the transplant list and ultimately received a kidney from a living donor.
Her recovery inspired her to pursue nursing.
After becoming a registered nurse, Destiny dedicated her life to caring for some of the sickest patients in a Level I ICU, serving as a frontline caregiver for critically ill patients while continuing to manage her own health history.
A Pregnancy Miracle Followed by Devastating Complications
In recent years, Destiny faced another deeply personal challenge: starting a family.
After nearly two years of trying to conceive, she became pregnant and welcomed what Larose calls “the most precious miracle”...her son.
But during her pregnancy, Destiny developed serious complications from preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause dangerously high blood pressure and organ damage.
The complications ultimately pushed Destiny back into renal failure.
Back on Dialysis While Caring for a Newborn
Now, Destiny is once again on the kidney transplant list. She currently undergoes dialysis three times a week, spending four hours per session connected to a machine that performs the work her kidneys can no longer do.
At the same time, she is caring for her newborn baby — and facing the emotional and financial strain of being unable to work.
Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Larose says Destiny has remained hopeful.
“Even with all of these hardships, she has remained so positive,” Larose wrote. “She has left her journey in God’s hands and continues to be a blessing to all those around her.”
A Call for a Living Kidney Donor
Larose hopes that by sharing Destiny’s story, it will reach someone willing to consider becoming a living kidney donor.
Living kidney donation can save lives and often reduces the wait time for transplant recipients compared to waiting for a deceased donor match.
Those interested in learning more or starting the donation process can visit the National Kidney Registry page created for Destiny here.
More information is also available through Destiny’s Instagram page: @urdestinyawaits, where the donation link is posted in her bio.
“The more people that hear it,” Larose said, “the higher the chance of her finding another living donor.”
How You Can Help
Even for those unable to donate, Larose encourages people to support Destiny by sharing her story and spreading the word.
Sometimes, one repost is all it takes to reach the person who can change — or save — a life.
For Destiny, that hope now means everything. See if you qualify to donate here.
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