Samantha Tinkham

When you're 10 years old, the last thing you imagine needing is a kidney transplant. After all, I'd always been very active and involved with activities like Junior Girl Scouts, my school's drama department, and playing my flute. When I started feeling very tired all the time, was hardly eating, losing weight, and not enjoying my after-school activities, my mom knew right away that something was wrong.

Once my mother took me to the doctor and explained my symptoms he immediately had blood tests done. Two days later, he told us to go to the hospital immediately. I had kidney failure, and I would need a transplant. At first, we were in shock. The impact and seriousness of the situation hit us all at once. Then reality and questions took over and we began the journey of being listed and then waiting for a kidney to become available. We knew how long the waiting lists were and anxiously waited for the call that would save my life.

One day, the call finally came. I was 11 and had a second chance at life. The transplant took place at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. Just one week later, I was able to finally enjoy my favorite food again-the thick, delicious milk shake at our local diner never tasted so good!

Now that I'm 18, I've had a successful 6 years with my new kidney, and I look forward to living a very full life. I graduated from Governor Livingston High School in June 2006, and now attend Montclair State University with a major in Elementary Education. I continue to promote organ and tissue donation education for NJ Sharing Network by initiating events at local middle schools and high schools and speaking on my college campus. Continuing to educate the public will always be a passion of mine, especially among young people my age. They often don't realize that someone their age could need a transplant, and seeing me helps open their eyes to the importance of signing up to be an organ donor!