A recruiter within Arlington ISD has a big ask. She’s in urgent need of a kidney.
Estefania Juarez Sanchez was initially reluctant to share her story.
“As a person who values privacy, it was very hard for me to come forward and ask for help,” she said.
A recruiter in the Arlington ISD human resources department, she now works for the district where she once was a student. She’s now leaning on her colleagues for support.
“I have so many people that love me and that’s what gives me strength,” Estefania said.
At 17, she suffered kidney failure while her late mother was battling cancer.
She underwent transplant surgery when a friend stepped in to save her life.
“It’s been 13 beautiful years and I have had a healthy, beautiful life thanks to him,” she said.
But her health is now declining.
Estefania is on the kidney transplant list along with 90,000 people.
With most of her family in Mexico and not a viable match, the search for a living donor is urgent.
“It was really hard because I don’t want us to start like that journey all over again, you know, start it from zero,” she said.
“The average waiting time to get a kidney from a deceased donor can be between three to five years. Unfortunately, I don’t have that much time.”
Peggy Porterfield has been a second mom to Estefania and says her resilience is inspiring.
They are focused on staying positive.
“The thing that has just really sustained us the most is to find gratitude in the things that we can be thankful for, the blessings of it all,” Porterfield said.
Both hope that by sharing Estefania’s story, it may save her life or someone else in need of a living donor.
They encourage people to visit UT Southwestern’s Living Donor Kidney Transplant Program to learn more.
Estefania has also decided to share her journey on Instagram.
“I know I have the strength to continue and hopefully this helps me find a living donor,” said Estefania.