August is “miracle month” for UCSF patient and patient advocacy consultant Valen Keefer. She celebrated the 22nd anniversary of her kidney transplant with a Taylor Swift themed day on August 13th, and marked her 6-year liver transplant anniversary on August 4th! Valen’s personal journey with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) led her to become an advocate for organ donation, and an advocate for others with PKD. This summer, she was recognized with the American Society of Transplantation (AST) Transplant Advocacy Award at the American Transplant Congress (ATC). Valen is celebrating 20 years of being a patient advocate—helping foster better care, awareness, and support for patients. Through her advocacy, Valen has crisscrossed the U.S. and even traveled to Ireland. She also launched a podcast, called Unpacking the Gift of Life, on her website (www.valenkeefer.com). “I continue to lead with a grateful heart, thankful for my donors, appreciative of modern medicine, and filled with hope for future advancements to help others walking a similar path,” she says.
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