Murfreesboro mother turns to social media in desperate search for kidney donor
As she grieves the loss of her son who was born prematurely and tragically passed at two months old, she is also fighting for her own life.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Murfreesboro mother is in desperate need of a kidney transplant and she’s turning to social media in hopes of finding a donor.
Hanna Spitzner’s story has already reached hundreds, with people stepping forward to see if they might be a match. Every night, for ten hours, she is hooked up to a dialysis machine. It’s what keeps her alive—but it’s not a permanent solution.
Spitzner’s health struggles began two years ago after taking a medication called Bactrim, which caused her kidneys to fail.
“They were able to help make them a little better for a while, and then I got pregnant,” she shared.
Her son was born prematurely and tragically passed away last year at just two months old. As she grieves his loss, she is also fighting for her own life—for the sake of her 8-year-old daughter and stepson.
“They are both amazing little helpers, but it’s also rough on them,” Spitzner said.
She has been on the kidney transplant list for months, but waiting for a donor could take up to a year.
A living donor, however, could save her much sooner.
“It could mean saving my life and making sure I’m here with my daughter,” she explained. “My daughter is also special needs, so routine is really important for her. She needs me. She can’t lose me. I am her everything.”
Spitzner is hoping to find a donor with A-positive, O-positive, or O-negative blood types.
Turning to social media, she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“Within minutes, I had so many comments, and my messages have been flooded,” Spitz said. “It’s just been amazing seeing how much people care.”
Her search is also shedding light on a critical issue in Tennessee—low organ donation rates. According to Tennessee Donor Services, only 44% of eligible Tennesseans are registered organ donors, well below the national average of 54%. Last year alone, organ donors saved nearly 1,400 lives.
If you’d like to see if you’re a match for Hanna Spitzner, you can contact Vanderbilt: http://VanderbiltTransplant.com
If you’d like to register as an organ donor—you can visit Tennessee Donor Services for more information.
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