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<\/p>\nKat Wallace is adopted and doesn’t know any blood relatives.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 For most of us, writing on the windows of our car might be for a birthday, a big game or a celebration.<\/p>\n
For one Jacksonville woman, the words on her windows are a message she hopes could give her a second chance at life.<\/p>\n
More than 130,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney failure each year, according to the American Kidney Fund. Kat Wallace is one of them. She needs a new kidney after being diagnosed with kidney failure after routine blood work in 2020.<\/p>\n
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“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I want them to feel inspired,” said Kat.<\/p>\n
Kat is on the transplant list, waiting for the gift of life. But this gift is a difficult ask, so she’s turning her car into a moving billboard. With every mile, another chance to reach the right person and hopefully find a match.<\/p>\n
Written on the back window of her SUV, “Are you my type? Kidney needed.” The side mirrors read, “Share your spare, please?”<\/p>\n
Kat hopes someone will see the messages at a red light, in a parking lot or even in the drive-thru.<\/p>\n
“That way, I’m not directly asking someone for a kidney,” said Kat. “It’s more indirect and just kind of putting it out there educating for others who need kidneys as well.”<\/p>\n
Before her kidney failure diagnosis in 2020, Kat was a special education teacher. Now, her job is to keep herself healthy, spending 13 hours on peritoneal dialysis daily.<\/p>\n
“You do it from your belly,” said Kat. “You have a catheter and your belly fills with fluid and it filters the way your kidneys are supposed to.”<\/p>\n
But PD doesn’t last forever.<\/p>\n
“There’s risk of infection, all kinds of different complications,” said Kat. “I want to live, I want to live my best life.”<\/p>\n
You’re probably wondering: “Why doesn’t Kat just ask her family for a kidney? They’re probably a match.”<\/p>\n
“That’s really an interesting situation in my case. I’m adopted, so I don’t have any blood relatives,” said Kat.<\/p>\n
So she’s looking beyond family – a living donor proving to have a better success rate. Her car, a moving billboard with A QR code leads to Kat’s page, sharing her story, information about kidney disease and how the donor process works.<\/p>\n
“It’s shocking to me,” Kat said. “Other drivers will beep. They’ll roll down their window and they’ll ask about it [kidney disease]. I’ve had people come up to my car and one lady wanted to pray for me.”<\/p>\n
Kat said when the time comes, she’s ready. Her hospital bags packed, to receive the blessing: a new kidney.<\/p>\n
Until then, Kat will keep writing, keep driving and keep hoping the message on her window finds its way to the person who can give her a second chance.<\/p>\n
“I really hope for a kidney,” said Kat. “I’m looking forward to a transplant. I see so much light and brightness in the future, and I’m ready to start it. I’m ready to travel. I’m ready to go visit family that I couldn’t see go visit before. For me personally, I’m hoping for a kidney, but even bigger than that, I’m hoping more people are aware of the need for kidneys and kidney disease.”<\/p>\n
Another unique way Kat is spreading her message is by using rubber ducks, taped to business cards with her information. She hopes people don’t just feel sorry for her when they receive it, but feel happy and hopeful when they see the duck and carry that with them.<\/p>\n
Kat’s not alone, she’s supported by her husband, Chris, her dog and a village of family and friends, many who display a magnet on their vehicles with Kat’s information and QR code to help spread her message.<\/p>\n