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.
You can read more about my journey on Caringbridge, as well as the latest health updates.
Why I Need 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.
How You Can Help
Please share my story and direct prospective donors to 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 Naomi Jacobs with birth date of 05/30/1972.
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.
If you live in Colorado, let me know if you’d be willing to put a removable bumper sticker on your vehicles using the contact form below. There’s a limited number left and we need to minimize costs.
You can also sponsor and wear a t-shirt! These cost about $37 and have to be special ordered if you’re in Colorado to help cut shipping costs and because that’s where the transplant will occur.
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.