2016 Nichole Piatt

Nichole Piatt_Childrens Hospital Los AngelesNICHOLE PIATT

Kidney Donor 

Age 20 ~ Granada Hills, CA

Honored by chla.org

Nichole was pregnant when her sister was diagnosed with stage four renal failure.  She immediately wanted to help, but would have to wait until her daughter was born. In August 2014, Nichole’s daughter was born.  In September, Nichole’s mother passed away.  In mourning the loss of her mother, Nichole’s plans to help her sister were put on hold.  When her sister was put on dialysis in December, Nichole began the process, again, of donating her kidney to her sister. It wasn’t until after the transplant surgery that Nichole realized the miracle of transplant. In the wake of a family tragedy, life was renewed.  In the end, Nichole’s family is stronger than ever and Nicole has dedicated her life to becoming a transplant social worker.

Nichole’s Story 

In 2014 my family found out my little sister was sick with stage four renal failure. It took my family by complete surprise. At the time, I felt helpless because I was pregnant with my daughter and could do nothing to help. So time went on and in August I had my child and was eager to do something to help my sister. Unfortunately, in September, our mother passed and figuring out a solution to my sister’s disease took a pause. In December of 2014 my sister started dialysis and I resumed my transplant journey. Over months and months of testing finally we were cleared to do the transplant and on August 17, 2014 the surgery happened. It wasn’t until after I gave my sister my kidney I realized the miracle of transplant. My sister is able to do the things she was not able to do before and she is so much happier now.  Of course we worry about her still but now my family, especially her, are able to live a full and happy life. This experience has brought my family together more than ever. After our mother died there was a sadness that lingered, but now we are so happy and living life to the fullest. I had always known I wanted to be a social worker ( I am in college for it now) but after this I know I want to work with the team at USC and be a kidney transplant social worker, because I know all of the good they do for families of people who are sick.