After receiving a kidney transplant in 1989, Linda Tedesco is now one of the longest living recipients in the area, according to the South Plains Kidney Foundation.
Tedesco said she was young and going in for a routine visit when the doctors discovered the kidney disease.
“I was diagnosed when I was 17, I was going out for a sports physical to play field hockey and it kind of just spiraled from there,” Tedesco said.
Tedesco said her life changed almost 30 years ago, when her doctors told her she needed a new kidney.
“I went through a stage of depression because it hits you hard, and sometimes very fast,” Tedesco said.
She said her doctors found a match shortly after, but she wasn’t sure if her body would reject it.
“You’re going to want to watch your diet, like you would in any normal situation, maybe just a little bit more, be careful what you eat, exercise,” Tedesco said. “I always like to say, you can’t go out and be a football player.”
Amie Duemer, with the South Plains Kidney Foundation, said in this area alone, there are more than 1,000 people on dialysis.
“It’s really a life change and transplant can get them back to a healthier life, to a life that they knew before and feeling better,” Duemer said.
Tedesco encourages anyone if they’re on the fence about getting a transplant — to take a leap of faith.
“We do have people who have transplants for 10, 20, and 30 years which is pretty amazing, most transplants usually seven to 11 years,” Duemer said.
If you’re interested in learning more about kidney donations or becoming a donor, visit www.SouthPlainsKidney.com.
