Thank you for taking a moment to learn about my journey. My name is Disha, and I am currently waiting for a life‑saving kidney transplant. Every day, I do my best to stay hopeful, prayerful, and grateful and believe deeply in the kindness and generosity that people are capable of. My life is shaped by service, resilience, and deep gratitude. I joined the U.S. Army Reserve my senior year of high school, inspired by the example of my father and sister, who both served before me. During my eight years in the USAR, I became a Licensed Practical Nurse (91C) and Sergeant, caring for others with dedication and purpose.
After completing my service, I continued my commitment to helping people by earning my Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina in 2002. Go Gamecocks! I am a wife, daughter, sister, auntie, friend, stepmom, fur mom, disabled veteran, nurse, social worker, cousin, niece, kidney warrior. Each of these roles brings meaning to my life, and each motivates me to keep fighting for my health.
My husband and I have been together for 29 years, and he is one of my strongest advocates. As a disabled Navy veteran himself, he understands the battles that are not always visible. Since I have been on the transplant list, he has shared my story with compassion and determination, helping others understand the urgent need for more living kidney donors.
I currently work full-time in behavioral health managed care, supporting individuals living with complex conditions and helping them access the resources they need. I am grateful to be able to work virtually, as I can no longer perform floor nursing due to my health challenges.
I live with hypertension, diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, and other conditions that require daily strength and patience. Diagnosed with kidney disease in 2011, by 2020 my kidney function declined significantly. I have been on the kidney transplant waitlist since 2023, and although I have not yet found a living donor, I remain hopeful. I have not started dialysis, and I pray each day that I will receive the miracle of a transplant before that becomes necessary.
A kidney transplant would give me the chance to live longer, feel stronger, and continue serving others. It would allow me to keep showing up for my family, my patients, my community, and the people I love. It would give me more time to enjoy the simple joys that keep me grounded — spending time with friends and family, loving on my fur babies, reading, listening to music, creating stories, laughing, and embracing quiet moments of peace.
If you are reading this, I ask you to consider something extraordinary:
the possibility of becoming a living kidney donor.
A living donor could give me the chance to:
- Live a longer, healthier life.
- Avoid dialysis.
- Continuing to serve others through my work.
- Spend more time with my loved ones.
- Keep showing up for the people who depend on me.
- Enjoy the simple joys that make life meaningful.
Living donation is an act of courage, compassion, and love. Many people who donate go on to live completely healthy, full lives with one kidney. For the recipient, it is nothing short of a miracle.
If you feel called to explore living donations, whether for me or for someone else in need, I encourage you to take the next step. Even learning more, asking questions, or sharing my story can make a tremendous difference.
Your willingness to care, to read, to consider, means more than I can express.
Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your open heart.
May God bless and keep you.
We need you to help us support Disha. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611