2016 Brianna Conklin

Brianna Conklin_UCLA Health SystemBRIANNA CONKLIN

Kidney Recipient

Age 20 ~ Las Vegas, NV

PBS Anastasia

Honored by mednet.ucla.edu

Brianna graduated from West Career and Technical Academy high school in June of 2013 with an emphasis in pre-med. Later, she would find out that the knowledge she just learned would be put to the test as she fought to survive kidney disease. It came out of the blue with no know history of any kidney issues. On December 9, 2013 Brianna was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease and rushed to the hospital where she had an emergency dialysis line put in. She started dialysis at age 18 while still going to college.  Brianna feels she was lucky in that she received a kidney transplant after waiting just a year and a half.  On May 5, 2015 at the age of 20, Brianna participated in a kidney exchange.

Brianna’s Story

I graduated from West Career and Technical Academy high school in June of 2013 with an emphasis in pre-med. Later, I would find out that the knowledge I just learned would be put to the test as I fought to survive kidney disease. It came out of the blue with no know history of any kidney issues. On December 9, 2013 I was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease and rushed to the hospital where I had an emergency dialysis line put in. I started dialysis at age 18 while still going to college.

My name is Brianna Conklin I am a survivor of kidney disease and I am a kidney transplant recipient. I am from Las Vegas, Nevada. I traveled to UCLA to receive my kidney transplant because I wanted the best healthcare out there and UCLA offered that for me! I was one of the lucky ones who received a transplant after just a year and a half of waiting at age 20 on May 5, 2015 through the kidney exchange program. Since finding out I needed a kidney it has impacted my life in ways I would have never thought of. I have become more aware of kidney friendly foods, my water intake, and so much more. Dealing with kidney disease has created a major impact not only on me but for my family as well. We all had to adapt to cooking with little to no salt, and making foods with little to no phosphorus and potassium. We had to plan for a transplant, including medications, food, hospital stay, and time that was needed to stay in the southern California area. In the long run we knew it would lead us to the greatest gift of all, a healthy me, and a greater appreciation for life. So go get your kidneys checked and donate your spare!