Local woman advocates for organ donation as she waits for kidney transplant

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) – A Bettendorf woman is using her personal battle with kidney disease to inspire others to become organ donors and highlight the critical need for organ donation in our community.

For 39-year-old Hiliary Pecenka, life became a waiting game in April 2023 when she entered renal failure. Earlier this year, her name was officially added to the kidney transplant waiting list. Now, she waits for a life-saving call, a call that could come at any moment.

“I’m pretty lucky that it lasted this long,” Pecenka said of her kidneys, “but I still thought I had a couple more years left.”

The waiting period for a kidney transplant can take years—Pecenka’s estimated wait time is three to five years. “However, that’s just an estimate,” she said.

While she waits, Pecenka has already experienced the ups and downs of being on the transplant list.

“I got the call that I was a possible backup to a living donor, and I was not expecting that. It was totally out of left field for me,” Pecenka said. “But things like that can happen. Unfortunately, it didn’t go through. I’m so happy that the recipient got her kidney, but yeah, it can happen at any time. You just don’t know when.”

But Pecenka isn’t just waiting—she’s using her voice to advocate for organ donation and educate others about the process. She wants to raise awareness about the importance of becoming an organ donor, particularly about living donations, which can make an incredible impact on those in need of transplants.

“I just want to educate other healthcare providers or just the public about what this process is and what I’m going through. I just want to spread awareness,” she said.

As Pecenka continues her journey, she remains hopeful that she’ll soon receive the transplant she needs. Until then, she will continue advocating for organ donation and hopes to inspire others to become donors, potentially giving the gift of life to someone in need.

“Not a whole lot of people realize they can donate a kidney and still lead happy, normal lives.”

According to Pecenka, only 58% of Iowa residents are registered organ donors—a number she hopes to help increase by sharing her story.

To become an organ or tissue donor, you can register through your local DMV when renewing your driver’s license, or if you’re an Iowa resident, through the Iowa Donor Network website. Currently, over 100,000 people are waiting for an organ on the National Registry, and every nine minutes, another name is added to the waiting list.

For more information or to sign up, visit the United Network for Organ Sharing at unos.org. The National Kidney Foundation also provides valuable resources and a platform for kidney donation registration.

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