By Keith Reid
Record Staff Writer
December 25, 2009
STOCKTON – Laura Amador’s family receives a gift every day they see her. Her energy. Her smile. Her clean bill of health.
In late June, Amador, 27, received a kidney transplant to survive the effects of an autoimmune disease that caused her kidneys to fail.
Her illness, known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, caused fatigue and required her to be on dialysis for four years.
Her recovery, while trying, has renewed her vibrance for life and has brought a new perspective this holiday season. It’s not about presents under a tree, but the time she has with her loved ones.
“It’s been an amazing thing. Every day I cherish the gift of life and the ability to give time to family, friends, and people I care about,” she said. “I can sit and talk to people for hours now. Before, I could for a while, but you could tell it was hard on me. My mom says I smile more now, and I definitely have more energy.”
Her kidney transplant also brought her brother Paul Amador, 25, a new outlook on giving. Paul Amador was not compatible to give his sister a kidney, but in June he donated one to a stranger anyhow – perpetuating an altruistic donor program that continues to produce life-saving organs for people in need.
“Giving definitely means more to me now,” the San Joaquin Delta College student said. “Especially for charity and people who need help.”
For example, Paul Amador said he recently went out to dinner with his girlfriend and purchased an extra meal to go. He gave the food to a homeless man who was asking for help after he left the restaurant.
He also plans to volunteer to serve meals to the homeless at a local church this holiday, and he continues to promote organ donor programs through his Web site www.dancefordonors.org/blog. He also plans to earn a business degree in nonprofit business management to continue his cause.
“Giving an organ and saving a life … people don’t realize how powerful that is,” he said.
Laura Amador plans to get her master’s degree in counseling, so she can help other people who are ill get through their medical situations as smoothly as possible.
“I know what it truly means to be thankful,” she said.
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3 Comments
Hi my name is richard. Laura is my friend. She save me from getting picked up by the cops once at sfsu. Thank you laura.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
My name is Lex Laura is my best friend u never realize how much a person influences ur life until something tragic happens.When Laura was sick it was definitley hard especially for the family but Laura being the fighter she is never gave up always stayed positive. She taught me what ever u go thru in life u can always get thru it and reachout to people who are going thru the same thing. For that I will be forever greatful to Laura.By reading there article I am more aware of what I can do to help I’m now a donor and I will continue to reach out and give back when ever I can.Thank u Paul and Laura I love u Both and the world needs more of people like you!
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