Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you are doing well. My name is Marzette Hairston, and I am reaching out to you with deep humility and hope.

I have been battling Lupus for 17 years and I am now in Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 5. At 18, I lost a kidney to Pheochromocytoma. I urgently need a kidney transplant to regain my health and live a fulfilling life.

I am on the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney, but the wait can be several years. My health is at risk during this time. I have learned that a living donor transplant has the best success rates and long-term benefits.

I am sharing my story in hopes that someone might think about becoming a living kidney donor. It is an extraordinary and selfless gift. It would save my life and allow me to keep watching my daughters grow. My 19-year-old is in her sophomore year of college, and my 14-year-old is in her sophomore year of high school. I also have a degree in early childhood education that I would love to use again.

Besides being a mother and an advocate for my health, I serve as Vice President of 2Sisters 2 Different Kinds of Lupus, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and supporting those affected by lupus. Advocacy and community service mean a lot to me, and I hope to continue this work with renewed strength and purpose.

Becoming a living donor requires thorough medical evaluations to ensure safety. This decision is personal and should not be taken lightly. I am hopeful that raising awareness may inspire someone who feels called to help.

If you want to learn more about kidney donation or discuss this further, please contact us on the contact page or visit the National Kidney Foundation’s website.

Even if you cannot donate, I would greatly appreciate it if you could help spread the word by sharing my story with others. Together, we can create a ripple effect of compassion and hope.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your kindness and support mean so much to me.

With gratitude,

Marzette Hairston

Vice President, 2 Sisters 2 Different Kinds of Lupus