Hello! My name is Frances Silva. I’m married to the love of my life for forty years whom I met when we were both serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. I’m a huge animal lover and disabled veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, of which I served for six years. I had the privilege of serving on the US High Endurance Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, at Coast Guard Island Alameda, and the Eleventh Coast Guard District Office as a 3rd Class Petty Officer Storekeeper and Rescue Swimmer. I’m a published author, former television producer, and a retired university professor. Completing my degrees took years of starting/stopping and starting classes over and over again due to chronic illness I did not know at the time was chronic kidney disease.
I’m the proud parent to four fur babies: three cats and one dog that we rescued and all depend on me. I’d love to rescue more, but I cannot handle taking care of any more animals. I’d love to do volunteer work with animals, but I’m just too tired, too worn out to deal with too much. Everything I do is limited due to Kidney Failure, the Anemia and exhaustion it causes. My Kidney Failure is due to a genetic disease called Poly Cystic Disease and makes me in desperate need of a new kidney. While in the U.S. Coast Guard I was told I had hypertension, but nothing was ever done about it. A few years later after I was out of the Coast Guard, I began wasting Potassium but no known cause was found at that time. Several years later during a scan for something else, multiple cysts were found on both my kidneys, but was pushed aside at that time by the Nephrologist as being “nothing to be concerned about.” Fast forward six years and many Nephrologists later and I was officially diagnosed with PKD. Except for extreme fatigue and constant pain from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I developed while in the Coast Guard, I was doing fairly well with CKD until several years ago when my kidney function began to quickly decline from a steady Stage 3B to Stage 4, and now Stage 5 or End Stage Renal Failure.
My physicians tell me that a getting a new kidney through kidney transplant is the best way to live longer. No mechanical dialysis system can clean toxins and supply hormones as well as the kidney can and it’s recognized as providing the best quality of life. To do that, I must find a Living Donor. Unfortunately, those closest to me who applied to be donors were not eligible due to health issues of their own. Now I’m working hard at seeking a healthy Living donor. I try my best to retain my zest for life and positive attitude, as I love to hike, camp, read, write and help others who need help. I love traveling to explore new places and meet new people. I try to advocate for animals, women and Veterans. Life in general is put on hold though, while I pray, seek and wait for a new kidney. I refuse to let kidney failure beat me down. I aim never to give up or give in to it. To preserve the 11% remaining kidney function I do have, I eat Vegan and exercise every day to maintain my strength, which only does so much. Only a kidney transplant will save my life.
Perhaps, you can spare one of your kidneys? 100,000 people are waiting on a waiting list for a kidney. On average, thirteen persons die every day waiting. A person only needs one kidney to live a healthy, fruitful life, which means most people have a spare one. Unfortunately, those with kidney failure don’t have a working kidney at all. Can you spare a kidney for me? I would be very grateful. There is no monetary compensation, but the feeling of good that comes with helping someone in need. I myself am an Organ Donor because I believe in how important it is and how I could still help someone. I can’t donate a kidney, but everything else is up for grabs. Have you ever wanted to do something good for another person and didn’t know what to do? Did you ever want to be a Hero? Did you ever consider the Act of Living Donation of a Kidney to be a Heroic Act? When you donate an organ to someone else, you are providing a life-sustaining gift. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Perhaps, you are the match I’m looking for, or can donate thru the Voucher Program. There is no obligation to become a Living Donor. All you have to do is apply. Thank you for reading.
We need you to help us support Frances. 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