Giving Advice While Waiting for a Kidney

Sonoma | Suzie Rodriguez

Nearly 90,000 people in the U. S. are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, including about 17,500 California residents and 232 Sonoma County residents. The average stay on the waiting list exceeds five years and can be as long as eight years. While waiting, a person’s health deteriorates, necessitating serious life changes. On average, 20 people die each day while waiting for organs.

Oakmont resident Bonnie Kamin Morrissey can attest to that, and she has a message for anyonediagnosed with kidney disease: “Be as pro-active as you can,” she said, “because your life depends upon it.”

Until recently, Morrissey enjoyed a demanding career as a professional photographer specializing in performing arts and travel. Her work has appeared in major national publications such as US News & World Report, Sports Illustrated, and The New York Times. Her commissioned portraits of celebrities include Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Bill Gates, and—her favorite—Robin Williams. She was also the official photographer for the annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival for over two decades, as well as photographer for San Francisco Ballet and many more Bay Area performing arts companies.

But Morrissey has been unable to work for the past few years.

Read more: http://sonoma.towns.pressdemocrat.com/2011/10/news/giving-advice-while-waiting-for-a-kidney/