Darlene M. Roman is founder and CEO of Angel Armies Foundation
In November of 2008, my oldest sister Marcella was informed that she needed a kidney transplant. Diagnosed as a child with a genetic disorder called Alport Syndrome, which is a type of hereditary nephritis (a group of inherited kidney diseases), she had gone as long as she could without intervention.
Our family was deflated. And, though it is never a good time to hear such news, for me personally it could not have come at a more difficult period in my life. I was losing my business, home and auto. But still, my sister’s plight made all of that seem far less important.
Each passing month, her kidneys reduced in production and she was told that she would soon be on dialysis if we could not find a donor. I knew in my heart that I was the donor. I was one of three “givers” tested and I was the match.
By November of 2009, I was on my way into surgery to give my kidney.
Today, my beautiful sister is doing well and her kidney production is at 85%!
After going through the process of becoming a live organ donor and witnessing how incredible my sister’s life and health is today, I am driven with a burning desire and true passion to help change more lives with all that I can give. Angel Armies Foundation was created so that you too can make a difference and have the opportunity to save a life as well!
Testimonial of a transplant recipient
My sister Darlene gave me the most amazing gift that a person can give to another, and that is the gift of life.
In 1965, when I was five years old, I lost my father to a hereditary kidney disease known as Alport Syndrome. He was only 29 years old. He left behind a young wife and three small children that he would never see grow up. Organ transplants were not prevalent in those days. Medicine has definitely come a long way since then, thank goodness.
The year that my father passed away, after having a kidney infection for quite awhile, I was diagnosed with the very same disease. I grew up having been assured that there was a very slim chance that I would ever need a transplant.
When my doctor told me that I needed a kidney transplant, I was shocked. I had always been conscious of eating healthy and staying in shape. I felt that my body was betraying me. She told me that there were a couple of different ways to receive a donor kidney. I could have my name put on the transplant list when my kidney function dropped below 20%, or, ideally, find a living donor. She explained to me the process of finding a match.
I went home thinking about what she told me. How could I possibly ask someone for their kidney? That just seemed crazy to me. Eventually, I began speaking with a few friends and some family, and was surprised – and graced – by the positive responses and support that I was receiving. When I spoke with Darlene, she immediately said that she wanted to get tested to see if we would be a match. She lived in Idaho at the time – I was in Southern California – so she was tested there and the samples were sent to my transplant hospital, UCLA. We were a match!
It took almost a year from the start of the testing process to the actual transplant procedure. What an incredible journey, and all of the wonderful medical care which we both received from the doctors and nurses was amazing. I cannot imagine where my life would be now without the love, generosity and sacrifice of my sister Darlene.
Stay strong!
Marcella
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Angel Armies Foundation
Sacramento, CA
916-616-5648
EIN# 37-1764483
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