My name is Brian James Buhain. I was born on October 16, 1981, and I live near Los Angeles, California. For the past 6 years, I’ve been on dialysis. Three times a week, I’m connected to a machine that keeps me alive. It’s something I depend on, but it’s not the same as living a normal life.
Before dialysis, I had energy and freedom. I could be present with my family and friends without thinking about my health every moment. I could go where I wanted and live without limits. Now, everything I do revolves around treatment, and it’s changed the way I live day to day.
Dialysis takes a lot from me. It drains my energy, my time, and my independence. After each session, I feel exhausted. Some days are harder than others, and I don’t always feel like myself. It’s not just physical—it’s the feeling of losing parts of who I used to be.
A kidney transplant would change everything for me. It would give me my energy back, my freedom back, and my life back. I know this is a big ask, but I’m not ready to give up. I’m still fighting, and I believe there’s someone out there who can help me keep going.