Hi. My Name is Naomi S. S. Jacobs and I’m in urgent need of a living kidney donor. Please share my story.
About Me
I’ve been a Jewish community educator and scholar for over 20 years, with students aged 6-80+, including Hebrew and B’nai Mitzvah prep for children who learn differently. For the past 10 years, I’ve also been writing a queer, Jewish speculative novel starring power couple Harvey Milk and Alan Turing.
You can learn more about me through my recent podcast interview, my author website, artist website, and my scholarship.
You might also enjoy my photo gallery.
My Story
In 2009 I found out my kidneys were harmed by a medication I’d been taking. I did my best to control diet and exercise but 13 years later they got worse and in August 2023 I began dialysis.
Dialysis keeps me alive, but can’t replace what an actual kidney does. It also takes a toll on my body and isn’t a good long term solution. A transplant is the best treatment for someone as young as me at 53.
Importance of a Living Donor
A kidney from a living donor is a better option than from a deceased donor. Kidneys from living donors tend to work sooner and last longer than from deceased donors. It also ensures that the kidney is as healthy as possible.
This would allow me to get back to doing the things I love, serve my communities, and spend time with my young nephew.
In preparation for transplant I eat well, sleep well, exercise, and do what I can to stay mentally and creatively active.
I will take the greatest care of the precious gift of a kidney. I’ve never smoked, drank, or taken drugs.
Update
On October 29th, I was out advertising my need for a transplant with my husband in our bright yellow shirts. I received a call from my transplant coordinator that an anonymous living donor had recently been evaluated and passed with flying colors. The transplant would be on November 17th, 2025. We couldn’t believe that it would happen so soon. The surgery went well and I had some infections since. However, as I told my husband, “You didn’t know me before kidney disease.” I am feeling much better. In another few months after ensuring that I’m still doing well, I will contact the donor’s family and thank them. It’s the donor’s option to decide if they want to hear from a recipient or respond.
How You Can Still Help
Many people needlessly die each day from kidney disease while awaiting a transplant. There are many transplant centers throughout the continental United States and the world. If you know of someone who needs a kidney, please share their story on social media, text, or email. The more people who know about someone, the more likely it is that they might step forward, which is especially critical if a relative is disqualified from donation. In the Colorado area, there are three transplant centers. Mine was UCHEALTH. If you wish to donate anonymously or tell someone else about the site, it’s at https://www.uchealthlivingdonor.org .They contact one person at a time so it may be a long wait. In the donor survey it’s important to specify that you are donating on behalf of a certain individual and provide their birthdate, or there’s a non directed donation in which neither the donor nor the recipient know each other.
Donors will need to be in excellent health and be able to travel to UCHEALTH for evaluation and possible surgery. There are grants available for travel and other expenses related to the evaluation and surgery. I can’t emphasize enough that sharing is indeed caring, and even if you want to help someone but don’t have the ability to donate a kidney, getting the word out or supporting their search in some way are a very appreciated kindness.
Fun Stuff from my transplant search search
My removable bumper stickers which are limited in number:
My shirt with the same design front and back! Notice the lovely, eye catching bright yellow!
Another way to help spread awareness is to share a flyer if your business or another organization will allow it. Send a comment and we’ll send you a flyer.
Please visit my Special Thanks page as so many people and organizations have helped me and my husband so much through this process!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing my story. Be safe and well.