Sharday Trice McCray needs a kidney transplant

My name is Dennis Wrobbel, while working in West Palm Beach for the past 25 years, I have had the blessing of meeting the McCray family, Sharday, her husband Terrance, daughters Terran and Sanai over 5 years ago. I have watched Sharday’s daughters grow up and have had the ability to have helped the family out over these past years. During Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other special occasions throughout the years, to help give and support them whenever needed. I am asking for others to help me with sharing Sharday’s current health issue. This has affected their family in many ways. Sharday is unable to work now, she has dialysis 3 times a week and each appointment last several hours . I ask you to take the next secret minutes and read her story.

My name is Sharday Trice McCray and I have kidney disease. I have two daughters ages 10 and 15 teen and a husband. Once I learned of my kidney disease it was devastating for me and my family. I am still so young; I haven’t even turned 40 yet. I am doing ok but my kidneys are not working well enough to keep me alive. Currently, I am facing the fact that my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant.

I am getting regular dialysis treatments three times per week for three and a half hours at a time to help my kidneys do their job and keep me alive, but a transplant would give me the ability to live a longer, healthier, happier and a more normal life. A transplant would also give me more time to enjoy life and spend fun, quality time with my family and friends.

However, finding a kidney for a transplant is a challenge. My blood type is O Positive, which is somewhat rare thus making the challenge a little difficult. There are well over 100,000 people on the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney like me. Time is of the essence and I need help NOW. During my research, I learned that many have waited for years and some have died while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor. However, another option is receiving a kidney from a healthy living donor. Receiving a kidney from living donor would greatly improve my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer & has better function.

Please note I knew nothing about kidney disease before it affected my life. Understandably, some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:

You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.

Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions. The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.

The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this. You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.

You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website. www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or [email redacted]. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NKF can also help. For more information you may also contact the Miami Transplant Institute and speak with my Clinical Transplant Coordinator Adina Levin @ [phone redacted]. Website to become a living donor: [email redacted]. and Email: [email redacted].

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center directly at Miami transplant [phone redacted] or [phone redacted].

However, I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Consider being an organ donor after death and also, help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list.

Updated info. The Miami Transplant Institute phone number is 305-355-5000. Sharday’s coordinator name is Alma. Also, please refer to this web site, https://www.mtilivingdonor.org/

Thank you, Sharday Trice McCray