MY JOURENY TO A NEW KIDNEY

Hello, my name is Marlette A. Barredo. I am 37 years old and currently battling end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to an autoimmune disease called IgA nephropathy. My journey has been long and challenging, but I hold on to hope every day with the dream of one day leading a healthier life.

In 2012, i began my journey as a nurse in Dammam, saudi arabia, where i worked as a staff nurse for 2 years. During this time, i was also supporting my mother who was a dialysis patient in the philippines.In 2015, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy. I was devastated to learn that my condition was already at stage 4, and that dialysis would be inevitable within a few years. In August 2017, I began dialysis—a process that has kept me alive but has also taken a toll on my body and spirit.

Returning to the Philippines to find a kidney donor, my husband and I faced one heartbreak after another. Our first prospect was my sister, but sadly, we were not compatible. Over the years, I continued to search for a suitable donor, all while working as a dialysis nurse, hoping to help others facing similar battles. In 2020, I faced another tragedy as my mother passed away from complications related to COVID-19. Both my mother and grandmother had suffered from chronic kidney disease, and I found myself more determined than ever to break this cycle.

Unfortunately, in 2022, I had to stop working due to the severe pain from osteoporosis, a common side effect of long-term dialysis. Climbing stairs became excruciating, and bone mineral disease made even the simplest movements painful. The effects of long-term dialysis weigh heavily on my body, yet my hope for a better future keeps me going.

Last year ,my nephew came forward as a willing donor, and we are in the final stages of preparation for a kidney transplant. However, this life-saving procedure comes at a high cost that is beyond my means. With your generosity, I can finally receive the transplant I so desperately need to lead a healthier life.

Your support will not only give me the chance to live but will also empower me to advocate for others who are fighting similar battles. I hope to inspire others by sharing my journey and showing them that there is hope beyond the challenges.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to a new beginning. Thank you for being part of my story and for helping me reach my dream of a brighter future.

With all my heart, thank you.

Marlette