Faithfully Waiting

Reverend Gwendolyn Snell is a pastor and one of nearly 110,000 women, men and children waiting for life-saving transplants in the United States.

In 1980, her kidneys were not functioning properly.  She felt like she had the flu.  On her second doctor’s visit, she never left the hospital.  A transplant was needed.  Reverend Snell had no family able to be living donors, and at that time friends could not donate, so she was placed on the waiting list.  Her first kidney transplant was in 1981 and the kidney only lasted one month.  At that time she did not know the rejection signs.

For seventeen years Pastor Snell waited for another donor. During this time she traveled the country, strengthened and advocated for her faith and received routine dialysis treatments.

Then in 1998, she received a second transplant.  She continued traveling and her ministry.  But, in 2005, she was told once again that her second kidney was failing.  She was devastated.  After successful heart surgery in 2007, her kidney finally failed after lasting nine years.

Now, she waits again.  Reverend Snell enjoys life.  Her positive attitude has endured and strengthened.  She believes that those waiting should be focused on a job, family and faith. 

She also feels gratitude to those who are willing to become donors.  “I’m indebted to them,” she says.

You have the power to save lives by becoming a registered organ and tissue donor right now or by saying "yes" when renewing your driver license or state ID at the BMV.