When she was 18 years old, Norma Araos left her native Coahuila, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States, and after years of hard work, she finally established herself. Her success was tempered by high blood pressure and kidney failure, resulting in thrice-weekly, four-hour dialysis treatments. Since returning to dialysis following a 2002 kidney transplant, Norma has been on the waiting list for five years, and it may be three more years before she receives a kidney from a deceased donor. “I have come to accept my circumstances. It has taught me compassion and given me an appreciation for life and nature.”

Norma's Story

When she was 18 years old, Norma Araos left her native Coahuila, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States, leaving her family behind with the hope of starting a new life. Like many people who came here from other places, she had to work two jobs just to survive. But after years of hard work, she finally established myself and landed a good job in sales.

“I was making a very comfortable living and life was sweet,” said Norma. “I thought I had it all. Then the unthinkable happened.” Norma began to have symptoms that started as back pain and fatigue. She ignored them, thinking she was just tired, but the symptoms became progressively worse.

Finally, when Norma began to lose her vision, she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed with “the silent killer”: high blood pressure and kidney failure. “At that moment, my life completely changed in every way: economically, emotionally, and physically.

“Anyone who has had kidney failure or knows someone with kidney failure is familiar with my struggle, from four-hour dialysis treatments three times a week followed by the inevitable depression and fatigue, to being unable to work and enjoy a normal life,” Norma continued.

Norma was fortunate to receive a kidney from a living donor in 2002, but unfortunately had to return to dialysis in 2005.

“At first I was full of self pity, but I have come to accept my circumstances. And now, as strange as it may seem, I consider my illness a blessing in many ways. It has taught me compassion and given me an appreciation for life and nature. But most of all, it has introduced me to the Donate Life California and OneLegacy organizations, and through them I have found my life’s mission.”

Norma has been waiting five years for her transplant, and the doctors tell her it may be three more years before one is available. While she can no longer work, she makes herself take daily three-hour hikes in between being on dialysis three times a week, three and a half hours a day. The hikes help her stay motivated. “They help me to feel strong and let me know I can do more,” she said. “I push myself.”

Norma now volunteers as a Donate Life Ambassador and its Latino group, Embajadores de Done Vida, to inform and educate people about the importance of organ donation. “Through Donate Life, I have become very aware of the need for organ donors. I have seen infants on dialysis, children who need corneas and hearts, burn victims in need of tissue, and many other cases. Each day people waiting for transplants die,” said Norma. “So, I spread the message, ‘Become a donor and give someone a chance at life.’”