Hi. My name is Tashaa Harris, and I am a loving wife, proud mother, grandmother, and I’m normally a very private person, so making this video isn't easy. But I’m doing this because I’m sick and in urgent need of a kidney transplant.

My best guess is that my kidneys failed due to high blood pressure, a condition that is worsened by stress. At the time, I was laid off from work due to the pandemic, and my goal had always been to give my kids a better life than I had.

I was the oldest of five children with an absentee father, and my mother – a drug addict – was often gone for days at a time. My siblings became my responsibility. By the time I was 13, we were homeless and lived in a shelter for over two years.

I started working from an early age — as a housekeeper, telemarketer, and for 23 years in food service for Widener University. Throughout it all, my children were my guiding light. I can honestly say that I did my best, but sometimes at the cost of neglecting myself.

For the last five years, I’ve had to do dialysis for 10 hours every day to stay alive. I have been unable to work because the procedure is very draining. That said, this experience has been a loud wakeup call, and I’m doing my best to take care of my physical and mental health. I’m eating healthy, I’ve lost 40 pounds, and I continue to cook, garden, and spend time with my family.

The gift of life from a living kidney donor would allow me to go back to work, be there for my family, and experience so many things which dialysis makes impossible.

I know that donating a kidney is a big ask, but it would save my life. I would be so grateful if you shared my story. Thank you.