“I was diagnosed with Bright’s disease when I was 14 years old. Some of the symptoms people experience are high blood pressure and blood in the urine and that ultimately led to kidney failure and dialysis. It didn’t hit me how serious this was when I was young.
“When I was in my thirties, it really hit me that this was serious because they told me I had about six weeks left before I went on dialysis. That’s when I knew. When you’re young, you don’t really think about tomorrow.
“This was my second transplant. I was on dialysis for four years before I had my first transplant in 2001. I had to have bypass surgery, which caused me to lose my kidney, which led to my second transplant.
“Dialysis was terrible. I passed out a lot and had lots of cramping. I’d never been through something like that before. The second time I did dialysis in 2011, it was hemodialysis at home that I did four days a week. I never really felt like I was myself. I slept most of the time. I couldn’t even drive because I was so tired. It takes away from your quality of life.
“I didn’t realize how sick I was until I needed this transplant.
“In 2011, my doctor in Mobile told me about UAB and I immediately signed up. They told me it could take anywhere from five to seven years to receive a new kidney. My first transplant came from my brother, but after that, no one in my family could give due to health problems. We didn’t know of anyone else. We just prayed.
“On June 12, I was about to be hooked up for dialysis. I got a call from a lady in Birmingham saying she was from UAB Transplant. She spoke to me for about five minutes or so, saying I had a kidney from a living donor. I got off the phone and gave my wife the thumbs up.
“I had no idea who the donor was. It was just somebody who wanted to donate. I met my donor, Beth Dillon, the day of the procedure on June 18 and we’ve been friends ever since. She actually tried to give once before, but was incompatible. She didn’t have to give, but she did.
“I was in the hospital for seven days. I had one bad day, but other than that the rest of the time was pretty good. Every day my creatinine levels dropped like they were supposed to. After about four days, I could tell a difference.
“I wake up every day at 6 a.m. I’m always wanting to be out. I’m able to cut the grass now. I can’t wait to start fishing again when it isn’t so hot. The main thing I want to do is go back to work.
“Dr. Locke did my procedure and we love her. She’s pretty remarkable.
“Being a part of this chain means the world to me. I wish other people knew how much it helps people out. People can live with one kidney. Folks need to take it to heart. If they can give, then they should give.”
Randall Peebles - 44
"I wish other people knew how much it helps people out. People can live with one kidney. Folks need to take it to heart. If they can give, then they should give.”