A second chance at life

On 19 May 2026, my life changed forever. After living with a rare genetic kidney disease for most of my life, I received a life-saving kidney transplant. It marked the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with hope, gratitude, and the opportunity to embrace life in a way I had only dreamed of.

I was diagnosed with Alport syndrome when I was just five years old. It is a rare inherited condition that gradually damages the kidneys and can also affect hearing and eyesight. In my case, it took both my kidney function and much of my hearing, meaning I have lived with hearing impairment for many years. Despite these challenges, I remained determined to keep creating, working, and pursuing my passion for art.

As my kidney function declined, my world became increasingly restricted. In February 2025, I began peritoneal dialysis at home. Every evening at 8:00 p.m. I was connected to a dialysis machine, and every morning at 5:00 a.m. the treatment finally ended. For more than a year, that machine became part of my daily life. It kept me alive, but it also reminded me how much of life I was missing. Because of my hearing impairment, there were even moments when I couldn't hear the machine's warning alarms, adding another layer of anxiety to an already difficult journey.

Throughout this time, painting became far more than a hobby. It became my way of processing fear, frustration, hope, and resilience. Some of my most personal work was created during dialysis, including a self-portrait that reflects both the physical and emotional reality of living with chronic kidney disease.

Today, I am incredibly grateful to say that my kidney transplant was successful. This precious gift was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of an organ donor and a family who chose hope in the midst of unimaginable loss. No words can truly express my gratitude to them. Their decision has given me a second chance at life, and I will carry that gift with me every day.

Although the transplant was a success, recovery is neither simple nor quick. My body is still healing from major surgery, and I now face a lifetime of immunosuppressive medication, regular medical appointments, blood tests, and careful monitoring to protect my new kidney. As I recover, I am unable to return to work immediately, and unforeseen medical expenses continue to place significant financial pressure on me and my family.

For this reason, my BackaBuddy campaign remains open. Every donation, no matter the size, helps cover ongoing medical costs, medication, recovery-related expenses, and the support I need while I rebuild my strength.

As a token of my appreciation, everyone who supports my BackaBuddy campaign before 30 August 2026 will be entered into a special campaign. The donor who makes the highest single donation by the closing date will receive one of my original paintings, Bionic Dependence—the deeply personal self-portrait I created during my time on dialysis. It is a piece that tells the story of endurance, vulnerability, and hope, and I would be honoured to share it with someone who has become part of my journey.

If my story has touched you, I invite you to become part of this new chapter. Whether through a donation, sharing my campaign, or simply keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, your support means more than words can express.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Because of the kindness of others, I have been given a second chance—not only to live, but to continue creating the art that gives my life purpose.