Cranberry Township woman in need of kidney
Even after several people she knew offered to be her kidney donor, Kara Cater, of Cranberry Township, has not found a kidney match that can safely be put in her body to replace her failing organ.
Cater said she has been diagnosed with Alport Syndrome, a genetic disease that has several symptoms, including potentially kidney disease. Her kidneys’ decline started in 2008, when she was pregnant with her first daughter, and they have slowly been in decline to the point where she fears she will be placed on dialysis.
It’s not for a lack of trying — Cater and her two daughters volunteer at the Zelienople horse riding school Glade Run Adventures, where several people have offered Cater a kidney. However, none of the kidneys have been a match, and in some cases, those donors found issues in their own kidneys after testing.
“I had four donors at one point, but as they got tested they found they have issues themselves,” Cater said. “A girl was dead set on giving (her kidney) to me. She got tested but she found out she had kidney disease.”
Cater said she and her daughters had been volunteers of the year at Glade Run Adventures, and that’s where the family spends a lot of time.
Cater also said she wants to avoid being put on dialysis, but the outlook on her receiving a kidney is not likely. She explained that the wait list for a kidney donor is long, and even if one matched, she would need to get to the hospital for surgery quickly.
“If they called and said they have a kidney, I would have to drop whatever I'm doing and get to the hospital,” Cater said.
However, kidneys replenish themselves if part of them is removed, so Cater said donating a kidney shouldn’t have a huge effect on a person’s life should they choose to donate. Still, the best bet is finding a donor who is a match.
Cater said people can sign up to be an organ donor — even her donor — online at livingdonorreg.upmc.com.
