Nita French had lived with diabetes since the seventh grade, but it wasn't until she became pregnant that she suffered kidney failure. Her life changed dramatically in 2001 when, after two years on the transplant waiting list, a donated kidney and pancreas was matched to her. Since then she has been able to enjoy her role as a wife and mother of four children, three of whom were remarkably born after her transplant. "Every day that I get to raise my children, to love my husband, to serve in my church, to live in my community is a tribute to Patrick, his parents and their family," shared Nita.

Nita's Story

Nita French first began noticing unusual changes in seventh grade. "I dropped a lot of weight pretty fast, and my parents just thought I was slimming down and getting taller," she remembered. "I was thirsty all the time, I didn't have any energy and I just felt really sick. Finally I was diagnosed with diabetes."

But the disease didn't slow Nita down. "I learned to check my own blood," she explained, "and I had to take shots twice a day." When she reached high school, Nita became a cheerleader and played volleyball. It was after college that the diabetes began to cause trouble.

A problem with her vision required a laser procedure. Following the eye surgery, Nita was delighted to learn that she was pregnant. But with her pregnancy came numerous complications, including kidney failure and pneumonia, and her 18-oz., 12-inch baby girl was delivered prematurely via an emergency C-section. Thankfully, her daughter Grace was healthy when she went home three months later.

By September 1999, Nita was placed on the waiting list for a kidney/pancreas transplant. Caring for her baby and receiving three dialysis treatments a week became a struggle for her. Her life was to change dramatically when the phone rang on October 11, 2001. A donor had been found, and the transplant could go forward.

"When the nurses rolled me out of the operating room, my mother saw me and burst into tears," Nita said. "She said it was the first time in many years that I actually had color in my cheeks." Nita's kidney/pancreas transplant cured her diabetes and restored her kidney function.

In 2002, Nita was fortunate to meet the family of her 27-year-old donor, Patrick. His mother told her that "she cried every single day until she met me." Patrick's mother also told of his wishes to become a donor if anything were to happen to him.

For Nita, the last 12 years have been among the best of her life. Now 41, she's been able to enjoy her role as wife to her husband Dennie and mother of their four beautiful children. Remarkably, the last three children were born after her transplant.

Nita shared, "Every day that I get to raise my children, to love my husband, to serve in my church, to live in my community is a tribute to my donor Patrick, his parents and their family."