We were lucky to catch up with Kirson Barnes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kirson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

My name is Kirson Barnes, and I am the Director of Programs and Marketing at Transplants for Children (TFC). I have a special place in my heart for this organization, as I am a 2-time kidney transplant recipient. I am not only a huge advocate for their mission, but I have lived it. Growing up, my single mother and I were very fortunate to have been introduced to TFC and the programs we still offer today. I earned 4,000 dollars in scholarships that I used for college classes. Eventually, I had the honor to become a mentor with TFC for younger transplant recipients and their transition journey from pediatric to adult healthcare. Moving forward a few years, I was offered a position as the youth program coordinator. I have now been a part of the staff for 3 years and have grown with the organization.
Every day I am grateful to come to a job that doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy coming to the office with our great team. All of our staff can relate to transplants personally. To be able to give back to the transplant community that we were a part of and see the relief of stress we bring to our transplant families is truly an honor.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born on January 11th, 1996, a month early, and very sick. With transplantation not being as advanced as it is today, my mother was told that I would not survive past a year old. I am now 28 years old and living a healthy life.
Thankfully, as sick as I was, my kidneys did not start failing until I was 11 years old, which is when I started dialysis. I would be on dialysis for 3 years until I was gifted a second chance at life on March 3, 2011, at 15 years old. My transplant lasted 8 years and unfortunately failed. I had to return to dialysis for 2 years and was very lucky to be gifted my third chance at life on June 3, 2021, at 25 years old.

While on dialysis at 12 years old, a representative from Transplants for Children visited my mother and I in the clinic and told us about the services they provided. We were instantly interested, as we had not heard of any other organization like them. I joined the STARS Scholarship & College Success Program.

Transplants for Children was founded in 1986 by Sharon and Eric Sutton, Transplants for Children has worked tirelessly to bring hope to transplant families nationwide. The services we provide include but are not limited to a scholarship program, financial assistance, free lodging in San Antonio for out-of-town transplant families, counseling, and support groups. What sets us apart from any other organization in the nation, is that our programs are for the whole family, not only the transplant recipients.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice is to love what you do and have a passion for it. Lead with a strong heart and an open mind.
Our team at Transplants for Children has a very open dialogue when it comes to the organization. We all have the best intentions in mind for our transplant families because we have personally been through what they are battling. This allows us to not only have sympathy but also empathy. We put our hearts into what we do and always find ways to improve, even at our best times.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Even though times have been hard, I would not change anything about my journey because it has made me exactly who I am today. Being able to support and be an advocate for kids who are growing up with the same sickness I did is an everyday honor. My dream is to grow with Transplants for Children and bring the organization to new heights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tfcsatx.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfcsatx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransplantsforChildren/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transplants-for-children-non-profit-/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFC_TX
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyborwPioWZc3pO_LnwoHuw/videos