I joined the EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward podcast to talk about living kidney donation, transplant awareness, and the journey that ultimately led to my book Ascending America. The conversation focused on a simple idea: meaningful change often begins with a single decision to take action.
For me, that decision was shaped decades earlier when my father developed kidney failure and spent nine years on dialysis. Watching his health gradually decline left a lasting impression on me and eventually led me to become a non-directed living kidney donor in 2017. That experience not only changed the life of the recipient but also reshaped my own sense of purpose and commitment to transplant advocacy.
During the podcast, we discussed the realities of kidney disease in the United States. More than 90,000 Americans are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, yet many people do not realize that living kidney donation is possible and that healthy donors can live full, active lives afterward. In fact, living donor kidneys generally last 15 to 20 years—often twice as long as kidneys from deceased donors—making living donation the gold standard treatment for kidney failure.
Part of my effort to raise awareness involved joining four other living kidney donors in a record-setting climb of the highest point in all 50 states. The expedition, completed in 41 days, was designed to demonstrate in a very visible way that kidney donors are capable of extraordinary physical challenges after donation. That journey—and the lessons learned along the way—are documented in my book Ascending America.
In our conversation, we also explored how advocacy begins with small steps: sharing personal stories, educating others about transplant options, and helping people understand that living kidney donation is both safe and life-saving. If even one person learns more about donation or considers becoming a living donor after hearing this discussion, the effort is worthwhile.
If you are interested in living kidney donation, kidney transplant education, endurance adventure, or how personal experiences can lead to meaningful advocacy, I invite you to listen to this episode of the EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward podcast.
If this story resonates with you, I invite you to go deeper.
In Ascending America, I share the full journey—climbing the highest peak in all 50 states alongside four fellow living kidney donors, pushing through brutal conditions, and challenging the limits people assume come with donation. More than an adventure story, it’s a powerful look at the science, resilience, and life-changing impact of living kidney donation.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s truly possible after saving a life—or how one decision can create a ripple effect that impacts dozens more—this book is for you.
👉 Get your copy of Ascending America today and rethink what’s possible.
