When you first meet Kerri Sewell, the last thing you would ever guess is that she is fighting a chronic illness. To her friends, her community, and anyone lucky enough to cross her path, she is a force of joy and energy. But to her six grandchildren (with baby number seven on the way!), she is simply known as "Honey." Honey is the kind of grandmother who refuses to sit on the sidelines. She is a vibrant, active presence in her family's daily life. Whether she is spending long, sun-soaked summer afternoons swimming with the kids, hunting down the absolute best shopping deals, or being the loudest and proudest voice cheering them on from the bleachers, her world revolves around loving her family well. For nearly 40 years, she and her husband, Mark, have built a beautiful legacy of faith, laughter, and resilience. Kerri is the glue that holds the family together, the one who celebrates every small victory, and the woman who always has enough love to go around. She has so many more memories to make, swimming pools to jump into, and grandbabies to hold. Before she is a diagnosis, and long before she is a patient on a transplant list, she is Kerri. She is a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and the world's best "Honey."
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a relentless and invisible genetic battle. It causes clusters of fluid-filled cysts to grow within the kidneys, slowly enlarging them and crushing the healthy tissue over time. As these cysts multiply, the kidneys gradually lose their vital ability to filter waste from the body. It is a devastating condition that slowly steals energy and health from the inside out. For Kerri, this disease is not just a medical diagnosis but a heavy generational shadow. Countless women in her family tree have been stricken by this exact illness. Her own mother fought the same brave battle and, thanks to receiving a life-saving kidney transplant in her 50s, is still alive and a vital part of their family today. That successful transplant is a beautiful beacon of hope, especially since the family has also known the profound heartbreak of this disease. Tragically, Kerri's sister Kristy discovered she had PKD shortly before passing away from colon cancer. Kerri carries the weight of both these realities as she faces her own declining kidney function. The shadow of PKD extends to the next generation as well. Kerri is the proud mother of four daughters, and the reality of this genetic disease is something they face together. Her daughter Danelle has already been diagnosed with PKD. Yet, displaying the exact same unwavering resilience as her mother and grandmother, Danelle refused to let the diagnosis dictate her life and spent two years serving as a missionary in the Middle East. Kerri's other three daughters must undergo frequent medical checks to monitor their own kidney health, living with the constant awareness of their family's medical history. Finding a living donor is about so much more than just saving one life. It is about standing alongside a family of incredibly strong women who have fought this disease for generations and giving Kerri the strength to keep leading them forward.
A living kidney donor is the absolute gold standard for transplant success. Kidneys from living donors typically function better and last longer. Even if a donor is not a direct blood match for Kerri, they can still save her life through a paired exchange program, where mismatched donor-recipient pairs are matched with others in the same situation.
Living donation is a profound gift. If you feel led to learn more about the process or wish to see if you could be a match, please reach out.