A kidney can come from someone who was once a stranger.

This site exists to start a conversation — not to ask anyone for anything. I'm waiting for a kidney transplant, and I've learned that some people genuinely want to give one. This is a quiet place to understand what that means, for them and for me.

Read my story How paired donation works

My story

My name is Juan Zamora — friends call me JZ. This isn't an easy story to tell, but it's entirely mine.

I'm 64, and today I need a kidney. Before I ask you for that, I want to be honest about how I got here.

For a long time, I lived a life of excess. My kidney failure was, in many ways, self-inflicted. I spent decades in high-stress work, pushing myself to serve others the only way I knew how — by running on empty. I never understood "eat to live"; I lived to eat, and not well. Over time, that caught up with me as severe high blood pressure and diabetes.

It's been a hard, humbling road, but I've taken full responsibility for the choices that brought me here. Over the last few years, I've fought to reclaim my life: I've lost over 48 pounds, my blood pressure has normalized, and my diabetes is now well controlled.

"People sometimes say it's too late. I don't believe that. At 64, I feel clearer and stronger than I have in years."

I'm a changed person, but my desire to serve, my love of life, and my hope for the future have only grown. I've done the work to prepare my body and mind — now I just need a kidney to begin this next chapter.

My days are shaped by treatments and the waiting list, but my spirit isn't waiting. It's ready.

I'm looking for those who already carry a desire to donate, and I'm humbly asking if you might be one of them. If so, I'd be deeply grateful if you'd consider coming forward — to help us both fulfill a hope for life.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for being here with me today.

With warmth and gratitude,
Juan Zamora (JZ)

I never want anyone to feel asked, obligated, or pressured. Living donation is a significant decision, and it has to come from the donor's own will — fully informed, fully free, and fully their own to make or walk away from at any point.

What I can do is make it easier to learn. If, after learning, someone finds they're genuinely drawn to this — whether for me, for someone else they love, or for a stranger they'll never meet — this is where that can start.

What living kidney donation involves

Most people are born with two kidneys and need only one to live a full, healthy life. A living donor gives one kidney, through a planned surgery, to someone whose kidneys have failed or are failing.

It is a real medical and personal commitment — evaluation, surgery, and recovery — and transplant centers exist precisely to walk a potential donor through every bit of it, independently of the recipient.

Who can donate: Generally healthy adults who pass a thorough, independent medical and psychological evaluation — the donor's wellbeing is assessed on its own terms.
Compensation: Donors cannot be paid for an organ, though many places have support to cover related costs like travel and lost wages.
Recovery: Most donors return to normal activity within several weeks, with long-term outcomes closely studied and generally reassuring.
Changing your mind: At any point before surgery, for any reason, with no explanation owed to anyone.

Direct donation

Direct donation is the simplest version of the idea: one person gives a kidney straight to one specific recipient they know and care about — a relative, a friend, a colleague, a neighbour. There is no chain and no third party in the middle. The donor's blood and tissue type happen to be compatible with the recipient's, the transplant center evaluates both people independently, and if everyone is cleared and still willing, the surgery is scheduled directly between the pair.

Because it is direct, it is also the most personal form of donation. The donor knows exactly who they are helping, and the recipient knows exactly who stepped forward. It is the route most people picture when they first think about living donation — and when a match exists, it can be the fastest and least complicated path for everyone involved.

Diagram illustrating direct donation: one donor gives a kidney directly to one specific recipient.

When a direct match isn't possible: paired exchange

Sometimes someone wants to donate to a specific person they love, but their blood or tissue type isn't compatible. Paired exchange solves this beautifully: that donor gives to a stranger who is compatible, and in return, a donor matched to that pair gives to the original intended recipient. Everyone who wanted to give, gives. Everyone who needed a kidney, receives one.

Circular diagram: Donor A gives to Recipient B, Donor B gives to Recipient C, and Donor C gives to Recipient A, closing the loop.

This is why I welcome a donor even if we aren't a direct match for each other — a paired exchange can still mean I receive a kidney, and your intended person on the other side of the chain receives one too. Registries that coordinate this matching exist specifically to make it work safely and fairly.

If you're curious, here's where you might fit

You're considering donating

Whether it's for me specifically, or you're open to paired exchange, the right next step is an independent conversation with a transplant center — not with me. They'll answer every question honestly and privately.

You just want to understand more

That's enough reason to be here. Read, ask questions if you have them, and share this with someone else if it feels right. Awareness is its own quiet contribution.

You're on a similar road

If you or someone you love is waiting for a kidney too, I'd welcome hearing from you. There's something steadying about not doing this alone.

Places to learn more, independently

These organizations aren't affiliated with this page — they're where to go for real guidance, matching programs, and support.

National Kidney Registry

Coordinates living-donor paired exchange across transplant centers.

kidneyregistry.org
National Kidney Foundation

Education on kidney disease, transplant, and living donation.

kidney.org
American Kidney Fund

Patient support, financial assistance, and donor resources.

kidneyfund.org
OPTN / UNOS

The national transplant waiting list and official outcomes data.

optn.transplant.hrsa.gov

This page shares general information and personal experience only — it isn't medical or legal advice, and it isn't run by a transplant center. Anyone considering donation should speak directly and privately with an independent transplant team.

Get in touch with JZ

Questions, encouragement, or you're on a similar road yourself — I'd genuinely like to hear from you. This isn't a request for anything; it's just an open door.

Thank you for reading this far

However you found this page — searching, sharing, or just curious — I'm glad you spent a few minutes here. If you'd like to reach out, the form above is the easiest way, or email jzam12@gmail.com directly.