In a poignant testament to familial love and resilience, Curlean Phillips, 70, has triumphed over kidney failure thanks to her daughter, Chanda Cason. After battling the chronic autoimmune disease lupus for 25 years, Phillips’ health took a turn when her kidneys began to fail. This challenging journey led her to dialysis treatment, a grueling process that began last year, initially requiring daily sessions and leaving her feeling drained and defeated.
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Phillips recounted that her experience was not only physically taxing but also mentally exhausting. “When my friends went on a big vacation to Dubai, I could not join,” she shared. The toll of both her illness and the treatment left her feeling disconnected from normal life. However, it was during this difficult time that Chanda, 41, an emergency medical technician (EMT), made a profound decision to help her mother regain her health.
Despite Phillips’ initial reluctance to accept a kidney donation from her daughter, Chanda felt compelled to step forward. “Chanda’s act is the ultimate gift of love, which has given me back my life,” Phillips expressed, demonstrating the deep bond they share. This Mother’s Day, Phillips looks forward to celebrating not just her health but the loving relationship they have cultivated.
Chanda acknowledged her mother’s concerns but remained steadfast in her decision. “Sometimes you have to be the parent and tell your parents what’s best for them,” she said, emphasising the importance of caring for one another. This act of love was not just a personal sacrifice; it highlighted their family’s enduring legacy of support and compassion among women.
The pair turned to Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) in New Jersey, where the necessary steps to facilitate the donation were outlined. Chanda underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic kidney removal, performed by Dr. Alexandra J. Erhardt, while Dr. Michael J. Goldstein served as Phillips’ surgeon. “Dr. Erhardt stated it was a privilege to be part of a team that facilitates such a profound gift between family members,” Chanda recalled.
Before Chanda’s brave decision, Curlean had been informed that the wait for a kidney from a deceased donor could stretch from three to five years. This grim reality only bolstered Chanda’s resolve to act quickly. In their initial meeting with the medical team, Phillips candidly expressed her lack of potential living donors, unaware that her daughter had already stepped up to the plate.
In reflecting on the transplant process, Chanda stated, “I would do it ten times again if I had to,” encouraging others facing similar situations to take initiative in their loved ones’ health choices. “There is a significant need for living donors, with over 100,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list in the United States,” she highlighted, urging the community to consider the life-changing impact of donation.
As Phillips embarks on her new chapter of health and vitality, she conveys a crucial message about the strength of family support and the transformative power of selfless love. “My granddaughter’s role as a ‘little nurse’ and Chanda’s life-changing gift demonstrate the strength of our family bonds,” she remarked. Their story serves as an inspiring reminder of the profound impact of living donations and the love that weaves through family ties.
As this mother-daughter duo continues to celebrate their renewed life together, they hope their experience encourages others to think about the gift of living organ donation. With each narrative shared, the hope is to inspire more individuals to come forward, creating a ripple effect that could ultimately save lives.