2016 Ina Brown

InaBrown_Donate Life Run WalkINA BROWN

Kidney Donor

Age 56 ~ Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Donated on 07/01/1987

at Seattle Children’s Hospital

Honored by onelegacy.org

Love is a verb for Ina Brown. Just three months after her oldest daughter, Sarah, was born, Ina unknowingly ate some undercooked meat which resulted in food poisoning and transferred the bacteria to Sarah as she cared for her.  The E.coli infection developed into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and ultimately, the loss of Sarah’s kidney function.  Without wasting anytime, Ina donated her kidney to her daughter and gave her a second chance at life.   Ina’s kidney got Sarah through both elementary school and middle school.  Afterwards, Sarah received one more kidneys from a deceased donor and is now awaiting a kidney exchange/chain.  Of her decision to donate her kidney, Ina said, “Becoming a donor for my daughter was never NOT an option.”

Ina’s Story

My oldest daughter Sarah was born a healthy baby in 1983 but three months later she lost her kidney function after developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)  from an E.coli infection. I had unknowingly consumed undercooked meat which resulted in food poisoning and transferred the bacteria to Sarah as I cared for her. Our family was living in Bitburg, Germany, at the time as Sarah’s dad was in the Air Force. Sarah was whisked away by ambulance to a children’s hospital in the city of Trier. She was hospitalized for three months until she was stabilized and responded to treatment. Soon after we received orders and moved to Lakewood, WA.  Sarah never fully recovered and I eventually became her first and only living kidney donor in 1987. I was 28 years old and had two other minor children at home.

Sarah lost the kidney after 10 years that took her through elementary and middle school. Because of dialysis and medical issues, Sarah spent most of her freshman year in high school in and out of the hospital. She was lucky enough to receive a second kidney thanks to the generous donation from a donor family who lost their son in a traffic accident. That wonderful gift lasted nine years and got Sarah through high school and college and a family trip to China. Now Sarah is on her 8th year of hemodialysis and hoping a kidney exchange/chain will afford her to live without a machine for many years to come.

I became a living donor to give my daughter a second chance in life. Becoming a donor for my daughter (or any of my children) was never not an option. Our family routine and holidays have often revolved around Sarah’s health as she has had several serious setbacks throughout the years but quitting has never been an option.   I became a spokesperson for organ and tissue donation after I read an article in my local newspaper. Besides spending time with my husband and family, I enjoy volunteering and sharing our family journey. Love is a verb for me.