Health problems and social alienation were constant throughout Mandy Trolinger's childhood because of her improperly functioning kidneys. When Mandy was 14, her mother became her living donor. After 12 years, Mandy’s kidney function began to decline, and in 2005, she received her second transplant, this time from a deceased donor. Mandy said, "I am where I am today because my donors have given me the gift of life.”

Mandy's Story

At the young age of two, Mandy Trolinger's kidneys were not functioning properly. At age five, she started taking massive doses of prednisone, but suffered extreme weight gain and chronic pain. She learned how to balance her life with kidney disease, but her kidney function continued to decline. Years later she lost weight to the extent that she looked emaciated.

“Many of my ‘friends’ started to ignore me due to the way I looked,” said Mandy. “As I was in junior high at the time, I learned early on the importance of true friendship. This solidified my value system of judging people on who they are, rather than on superficial terms.”

In 1992, at age 14, Mandy received a kidney from her mother. “The entire transplant process was a very positive and educational experience. My mom’s kidney allowed me to pursue my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutritional sciences, obtain my registered dietitian license, get married, teach aerobics, participate in animal assistant therapy and create many experiences with my family and friends,” said Mandy. “In fact, I was drawn to nutrition due to my transplant experience, and I now work as a renal dietitian. I enjoy the fact that I can relate on a personal level with my patients because of the bond we share with kidney disease. I encourage patients to focus on the positive aspects of life and not to let the negative aspects dominate who we are.”

Twelve years after her transplant, Mandy’s kidney function began to decline, and she had to go on dialysis for the first time. On April 19, 2005, she received her second transplant, this time from a deceased donor. “Her name was Alicia, and she was only 19 years old,” said Mandy. “Alicia’s and her family’s generosity allow me to continue to pursue my dreams.”

Mandy volunteers at various National Kidney Foundation events and serves on the Patient and Community Services Committee. She also gives educational presentations to patients and healthcare professionals with the Renal Support Network (RSN) and organizes the annual Denver patient lifestyle meeting each year to empower patients to become their own advocates. In conjunction with RSN, she is a patient activist and involved in medical, regulatory and legislative decisions affecting kidney patients. She also completes a 10K run every year in honor of her donors. This year, 31-year-old Mandy started physician assistant (PA) school.

“My first transplant allowed me to become a dietitian and my second transplant is allowing me to purse my dream of becoming a PA,” she affirmed. “When I graduate from PA school, I will remember two very important people, my mom and Alicia. I am where I am today because my donors have given me the gift of life.”