Real Life Stories

For Alicia (in pink), her mom (in fuschia) and sister (in white) kidney disease is a family affair.

She received the devastating news her kidneys were failing, as had her mother's, grandmother's and great-grandfather's before her.

Alicia would need immediate dialysis and eventually, a kidney transplant. With a bleak outlook for the immediate future, and barely enough energy to work each day as a high school teacher, the only bright spot in an otherwise dark time was Alicia's marriage to her high school sweetheart, Reginald.

2003 brought more hope, especially when Alicia's sister, Schanea, offered to become a living donor - and proved a great match.

In 2004, Schanea gave something else to Alicia and to her entire family - a niece named Nina Marie, who enjoys regular spoiling by her aunt.

Alicia is also back to work, helping others as a bilingual career advisor, and a volunteer with LifeLink. "I never take anything for granted, like getting up in the morning. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't praise my sister for her gracious gift," Alicia says.