Patricia Elizarraraz

Patricia has received three kidneys (including two from family members) since 1981. Transplanted at St. Vincent Medical Center, she is a patient education consultant for the National Institute of Transplantation.

Patricia's Story

In December 1979 I was diagnosed with renal failure. Like everyone else I believed it was a mistake, that my lab results had been accidentally switched with someone else's. Little did I understand what was to come. I started dialysis soon after and continued for the next 18 months. The years to come would be filled with physical pain, but the worst was the emotional anguish.

While my physician, Dr. Manchanda, told me that I was a healthy candidate for a transplant, at that time I did not want one. I just wanted my own kidneys to work again. I prayed and prayed to be healed but to no avail. I started to listen to Dr. Manchanda, who gave me with his words the ability to physically know and trust myself. "You are the only one who can tell us how you feel," he said, helping me feel like I had some control over the situation.

My oldest brother, the best match in my family, wanted to donate, but due to his wife's pregnancy he chose not go forward with the procedure at that time. After Dr. Manchanda placed me on the transplant waiting list, I was called to St. Vincent Medical Center in March 1981. However, after the surgery my body rejected the kidney. Six months later, my brother chose to go ahead with the donation. In September 1981 I received my second gift of life. I continued to attend college and in 1987 received my B.S. in Food and Nutrition from California State University Los Angeles. My kidney functioned until 1994, when it became evident that I would need another transplant. I gave the news to my family and my other six siblings were tested. Once more a brother came forth and gave me my third gift on November 16, 1994.

It has been a long road. Not until 1996 did I start accepting my reality that the person that survived renal failure, dialysis and three kidney transplants was me. In 1997 I chose to explore a new career and started volunteering at St. Vincent Medical Center's transplant unit. In 2002, I started as a Patient Education Consultant for the National Institute of Transplantation and joined as a OneLegacy as an Ambassador this year. It is truly amazing that what has once caused me so much pain now gives me overwhelming pleasure to know that I can help someone through sharing my experience. God has made it possible for me to receive such priceless gifts of love, and given Dr. Manchanda, Dr. Robert Mendez and Dr. Ralph Mendez the knowledge, skills and dedication that has allowed me to be here. For all of this I am eternally grateful.