My name is Donna Ellis. I am a 57 years old female who has lived in the Gerry and Jamestown New York area all my life. I have been happily married to my husband Don for 37 wonderful years. We have three daughters who are all grown and married, who have also blessed us with five beautiful grandchildren currently and one on the way in April. We have two grandsons and three granddaughters, soon to be four.

My family is everything to me. We are very close and always there for each other. They have been a great support system for me prior to my treatment and now while I am a Dialysis patient. I am not ready to leave the wonderful life I have with them and that is why I am asking anyone who reads my profile for your help in receiving a transplant.

I was tested and diagnosed with Polycystic kidney disease 28 years ago shortly after my father had been diagnosed. With the help of my doctor, family, the lord and myself trying to do all I could to take care of my body, I managed to remain quite healthy. In April of 2006, I saw my nephrologist for a routine examination and review of recent labs. At that time he told me that my kidney function had decreased and we would need to discuss Dialysis in the near future. 

I always knew that Dialysis was in my future since my father was on PD for 12 years with the same disease. Polycystic Disease has been in my family for three generations and with caring for my father I knew in a way what to expect. I just hoped it would be much later than it was. My family and I decided that the best option of treatment for me was to begin the Continuous Cycler Peritoneal Dialysis. I had the placement of the Missouri Catheter in August and my daughter and I went through six weeks of training at our local hospital Dialysis unit. I began the treatments at home in September.

I currently am on CCPD for 8 hours each night while I am sleeping and it has been going well for me thus far. I do get tired much easier than I used to but I try to stay active and go on with my life living everyday to the fullest. It has been a big adjustment with my lifestyle. I am in bed by a certain time every night to start my therapy. I am Diabetic and since beginning Dialysis my blood sugar readings have increased due to the glucose concentration in the dialysate solution. I have had to increase my insulin dose by more than double the amount I was receiving to compensate for what my body is absorbing in the solution. I am also receiving anemia injections related to kidney failure every two weeks.

Prior to my Dialysis treatment I was a childcare provider in my home for many years until I felt I had to give it up in June when my disease began to worsen. I wasn't physically able to lift the children anymore and I felt tired throughout the day. I also spent my summers in our family pool and I now am not able to swim in a pool due to infections I might be exposed to.

I have type O- blood so I am in need of an O donor.

As soon as I am able to get a kidney donor the faster my life and health will be able to improve.

If you feel you are able to help me out by donating a kidney to me you can contact my transplant coordinator Haley at The Buffalo General Transplant Center at (716) 859-1345.

Thank you so much for reading my profile and I look forward to hearing from someone out there who can help me.

Sincerely,
Donna Ellis