Melissa Armstrong – Kidney Recipient

My name is Melissa Armstrong and I have been on dialysis for 13 years.

In 2003, I received a kidney from my mom’s best friend, Linda. Unfortunately, it only lasted until 2007 and since then I’ve been on dialysis. I was scared to get placed on the organ transplant waiting list again, but decided that I really wanted my life back, so I forged ahead on being placed on the transplant waiting list. The main problem in finding a match is that, I have really high antibodies due to multiple blood transfusions and from having had a previous transplant, I only match 2% of the population.

Waiting is the hardest part. I often wonder if I’ll ever get the call telling me that a kidney is available. I am so scared that I will die waiting – which is me and my family’s biggest fear. But my family gives me great hope. Not only are they devoted to me, but they inspire me.

My dad, Mike, received a kidney transplant 42 years ago from his brother, Gary, and my sister, Michelle, received a transplant 25 years ago from my mom, Maureen. Dialysis has consumed my whole life – 3 times a week, 4 hours at a time. I just really want to live as a “normal “ 38 year-old, that is not tied to a machine.

More Stories

Press Releases

LifeCenter Community Breakfast Reminds Everybody of the Importance of Community

LifeCenter Organ Donor Network’s (LifeCenter) 21st annual Community Breakfast, held November 17th, 2022, was a moving, inspiring occasion to reflect upon how much community matters …

Read More →
Press Releases

LifeCenter Continues To Grow, Adding COO and CAO

LifeCenter Organ Donor Network (LifeCenter) continues to grow in its mission to save, heal and change lives in Greater Cincinnati, with the addition of two …

Read More →
Press Releases

Join LifeCenter Organ Donor Network for a Conversation about the Black Family and Generational Health: Diabetes and Kidney Disease

LifeCenter Organ Donor Network (LifeCenter) is excited to partner with the Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, and The Center for Closing the Health Gap for …

Read More →