As part of Black History month, Gift of Life Donor Program has been featuring various donation perspectives from the African American community. This week we share the story of Daryl Dancy, who battled dual life threatening disease while waiting for a kidney transplant.

Kidney Recipient Daryl Dancy

Faces of Organ Donation- Daryl Dancy

Several years ago, if you were to tell me that I would go into kidney failure, be hospitalized on three separate occasions as a result, and be diagnosed with another major disease during this period, I would not have believed you. 

 If you were to tell me that a total stranger would donate one of his kidneys to me without any hesitation, I would have laughed in your face.  

 This is, however, exactly what transpired – and this is my story.

 At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease   According to the treating physician, I was expected to go into renal failure within two to 10 years and would need dialysis treatments to sustain life.  In the summer of 2005, my kidneys began failing, and you cannot fully understand the true impact of renal failure until it happens to you.  I developed a metallic taste in my mouth and gradually began losing my appetite.  It eventually got to the point where I ate not because I was hungry but because it was what I was supposed to do.  During the ensuing months, my condition continued to deteriorate, and in addition to my appetite loss, I developed severe neuropathy in my legs and became exhausted simply by speaking. 

 On March 21, 2006, I began dialysis treatments.  Approximately one year into treatment, something remarkable occurred while attending a Sunday worship service.   I was seated in the front row by the usher, which really wasn’t out of the ordinary.  On this particular Sunday, however, I got the inescapable feeling that something was about to happen. 

 Following a sermon by a visiting minister, my pastor called me before the congregants and said, “You are not alone in this.”  At that time, all male members of the congregation were called forward and began praying around me.  I began crying uncontrollably and after this cleansing of sorts, I gathered my things and started to leave the sanctuary.  As I did so, I turned to see a man and his wife standing before me.  He looked me in the eyes and said, “God told me to tell you that I got your kidney.” 

 A little over a year had passed since that promise was made, and the summer of 2007 proved to be the most difficult season of my life.  I was hospitalized three times and nearly lost my life to Systemic Lupus, wondering if the promise would be fulfilled.  The summer of 2008, however, proved to be a year unlike any other. I finally received my kidney from that same gentleman that stepped forward, and the promise was fulfilled.  I have new appreciation for life and a new found love for God.  The world needs to know what it means to get your life back!

Tags: donation, kidney transplant, living donation, organ donation, transplant