Hilda Martinez
Type of Donation: kidney recipient
Age and Location: Age 47 - Richmond, CA
Date of Transplant: 8/07/2014
Sponsor: Honored by Donor Network West with California Pacific Medical Center
HILDA’S STORY
On the evening of August 6, 2014, Hilda Martinez prepared for bed and anxiously thought about the challenging days that lay ahead. Her doctor had scheduled an appointment for her to begin dialysis on Monday, August 13th; in a few days, Hilda would rely on dialysis to do the job her kidneys could no longer do.
Although Hilda was concerned about what the future held for her and her family, her unwavering faith helped her remain positive. Unexpectedly, on August 7, 2014, at 2:00 am, Hilda received a call from the California Pacific Medical Center, notifying her that she was a possible candidate for a kidney transplant. Within the same day, Hilda received the life-saving kidney transplant she prayed for. Hilda was full of joy and gratitude, but her heart ached for her donor and their family. “Es un milagro,” Hilda describes her experience as a “miracle,” for she is well aware of the long wait people who need a kidney transplant have to endure.
Hilda does not know who her donor was, nevertheless, she thinks about them daily, and nicknamed her kidney Angel, in honor of her donor. “Pienso de mi Angel todos los dias y doy gracias por el tiempo que me ha dado con mi familia,” Hilda explains that she thinks about her donor every day and thanks her Angel for giving her time to spend with her family.
The miraculous kidney transplant provided Hilda with the gift of life, which includes the gift of time. Hilda is blessed to be able to spend quality time with her two young daughters, see her two sons graduate from San Francisco State University, and celebrate 26 years of marriage with her loving husband.
Hilda dedicates her free time to volunteering with Donor Network West, alongside a devoted group of women called Las Amigas. They educate their community about the importance of organ and tissue donation, communicating with the Latino community in Spanish. Hilda cares deeply about the people waiting for a life-saving transplant and advocates on behalf of her community, hoping that she may also help save and heal lives.