
She shared her story of life on dialysis. Now she has a new kidney: "God found me the perfect match."
Before receiving her transplant, Goldring spent up to four and a half hours a day hooked up to a home dialysis machine.
"Every day I wake up, I'm thanking God that my feet even hit the ground and that my eyes open and I can still breathe on my own," she said in an interview in January.
In her interview, Goldring described the challenges of life as one of roughly 500,000 Americans dependent on dialysis to stay alive, and detailed the uncomfortable shortcomings of care provided by for-profit clinics. She received the treatment at home and said dialysis clinics left her with no control over her care, treating her like a "check."
A seven-month CBS News investigation looked at how two for-profit companies grew into what experts term a "duopoly," dominating the market nationwide. Critics have accused the firms of prioritizing profits over the care of patients on dialysis.
The two largest for-profit companies in the dialysis industry, Fresenius and DaVita, dispute those criticisms.
Fresenius told CBS News in a statement that the company maintains an "unwavering focus on improving quality of life, strengthening clinical outcomes, and extending the lifespan of those we have the privilege to serve." DaVita said in a statement that its "dedicated clinicians consistently deliver high-quality, individualized care in a complex clinical and regulatory environment."
Less than a week after her interview aired in June, Goldring received a life-saving kidney transplant through a living donor.
At the age of 3, cancer caused both of Goldring's kidneys to fail. She received her first transplant as a teenager from a deceased donor, but when it lost function in 2014, she had to go back on dialysis.
In her campaign for a new kidney, Goldring stopped at nothing — posting billboards in her community and becoming an outspoken advocate for those suffering from advanced kidney disease.
On Monday, June 20, she got the call that she was a match for a kidney transplant. By that Friday, she was on the operating table.
"They asked me if I was scared or had any concerns, and I said none," Goldring told CBS News in a phone interview. "God found me the perfect match."
Goldring said she plans to continue sharing her story, emphasizing the importance of living donations. Goldring's kidney was from an unidentified man from Georgia who chose to become a living donor.
"Living and non-living donations saved my life," Goldring says. "I want to keep spreading that message. People don't have enough information."
Dr. Malay Shah of the University of Kentucky's Transplant Center performed Goldring's surgery, describing it as "absolutely necessary."
About one-third of all kidney transplants performed each year in the U.S. are living-donor kidney transplants. And Shah says living-donor kidney transplants have the best outcomes and don't require as long of a wait time for the patient.
"When a living donor match came about, it was like winning the lottery for her," said Shah.
While Goldring has been back to the hospital a few times since her transplant, her doctors say that's normal with recovery.
A kidney transplant is the only option for patients to get off of dialysis. Of the half-million people in the U.S. on dialysis at any given time, nearly 90,000 have qualified for a spot on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, and 11 people die every day waiting for a kidney, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
"My hope is that more people will hear about [my story] and more donors will come forth," says Goldring.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
19 minutes ago
- CBS News
Minneapolis fire stations install saunas to help crews clear out smoke, toxins
There's no doubt firefighting is a dangerous job, but some of the biggest risks aren't just the flames. It's what lingers afterwards. It's why Minneapolis Fire Departments have been installing saunas at their stations. Steve Shapira is the founder of the Minneapolis Fire Foundation, an organization that supports the health and safety of Minneapolis Fire Fighters. "One of the things we're trying to do is help firefighters have a post fire place to go and get some of these toxins away from their body," said Shapira. "What we're really trying to do is stop the absorption of the soot and smoke that is on the surface of their skin, before it can get into their fat, get into their bloodstream, and get into their organs." For him, the mission is personal. After 17 years as a St. Paul fire captain, Shapira was forced to retire after developing blood cancer, likely caused by exposure to toxins. "It's kind of become my mission since I got sick 10-plus years ago to help keep firefighters healthy and so this is just one more tool in our tool box to kind of have firefighters go down that road of a long, safe, healthy career," Shapria said. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. in 2023, 72% of firefighter deaths were from cancer. So far, five fire stations in Minneapolis have the saunas. The goal is to equip the remaining 14 and the training station. CJ Schertner is a captain with the Minneapolis Fire Department. He says the saunas are doing what a shower can't. "You're showering, you're scrubbing, you still come out of that shower smelling like smoke," Schertner said. The saunas are benefiting in other ways as well. "It's also been a nice thing for people to use just for their mental health. It's a good thing to help rejuvinate you a little bit," said Schertner. Research is still underway on just how effective post-fire saunas are for removing carcinogens, but for firefighters, it's one more defense in a job full of hidden risks.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Greek Yogurt vs. Kefir: Which Is Better for Gut Health? A Registered Dietitian Weighs In
Greek yogurt's high protein and probiotic content has rendered it a health food staple—you've probably scrolled past countless yogurt bowl variations on your feed. But another ancient fermented dairy product has entered the scene: kefir. This drinkable probiotic is making a big comeback, especially on TikTok, where users rave about its health benefits (some say daily consumption cleared up their skin). But is kefir really healthier than tried-and-true Greek yogurt? We asked registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth to break it all Largeman-Roth Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of Everyday Snack Tray Caroline Margolis, registered dietitian at LifewayWhat Is Greek Yogurt? 'Greek yogurt is made by straining regular yogurt (up to three times) to remove the whey,' says Largeman-Roth. This process results in a creamier consistency and a higher protein content than regular yogurt. Since the whey contains milk sugar, 'the straining process reduces the natural sugar content, making it easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest.' Nutrition Greek yogurt is a rich source of both protein and probiotics. Compared to kefir, greek yogurt is significantly higher in protein, says Largeman-Roth. One-half cup of Greek yogurt has more than double the protein of a ½ cup of kefir. Here's the nutritional profile of 100 grams (around ½ cup) plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, according to data from the USDA: MacronutrientsCalories: 73 kcalProtein: 9.95 grams (g)Total Carbohydrates: 3.94 gFat: 1.92 gSaturated Fat: 1.23 g MicronutrientsRiboflavin (Vitamin B2): 0.23 milligrams (mg) ≈ 17.7 percent of Daily Value (%DV)Vitamin B12: 0.52 micrograms (mcg), ≈ 20.8 percent DVVitamin A: 90 mcg, ≈ 10% DVCalcium: 115 mg, ≈ 8.85% DVZinc: 0.6 mg, ≈ 5.5% DVPhosphorus: 137 mg, ≈ 11% DVSelenium: 12.4 mcg, ≈ 22.6% DV What Is Kefir? Kefir is a fermented dairy beverage with a tangy taste. 'It's made by fermenting milk with kefir 'grains,' which aren't grains in the typical sense, but rather clusters of lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and polysaccharides," Largeman-Roth explains. "The grains are added to the milk and it's fermented at room temp for 12 to 48 hours.'Tip Read the nutrition label on kefir and choose one without added sugar for maximum health While Greek yogurt beats out kefir in regard to protein content, kefir tends to be richer in probiotics than Greek yogurt. "We're talking billions of live probiotics!' says Largeman-Roth. 'There are 25-30 billion CFU (colony forming units) in each cup,' making it a gut health superstar. Kefir is also a better source of calcium and vitamin D than Greek yogurt. According to Margolis, 'Kefir's longer fermentation process of the probiotic cultures enriches the content of the calcium.' The claim that kefir can clear up your skin isn't hearsay: Largeman-Roth confirms that kefir, as well as any food with probiotics, is good for your skin because it helps keep your 'gut-skin axis' (the relationship between your skin and the bacteria in your gut) in balance. Here's the nutritional profile of 100 grams (around ½ cup) low-fat, plain kefir, according to data from the USDA: MacronutrientsCalories: 43 kcalProtein: 3.79 grams (g)Total Carbohydrates: 4.77 gFat: 1.02 gSaturated Fat: 0.66 g MicronutrientsRiboflavin (Vitamin B2): 0.29 milligrams (mg), ≈ 22.3% DVVitamin B12: 0.29 micrograms (mcg), ≈ 12.08% DVVitamin A: 171 mcg, ≈ 19% DV Vitamin D: 41 IU, ≈ 5.13% DVCalcium: 130 mg, ≈ 10% DV Zinc: 0.46mg, ≈ 4.18% DVPhosphorus: 105 mg, ≈ 8.4% DVSelenium: 3.6 mcg, ≈ 6.55% DV Which Dairy Product Is Better for You? It really depends on your health goals. The high-protein content of Greek yogurt will help you feel energized and fuller for longer, while the high-probiotic content of kefir is great for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Largeman-Roth ensures that 'including both in a balanced diet, along with plenty of prebiotic fiber from plant foods, will help keep your gut in great shape, which will have a positive impact on your overall immune health.' So get to spooning AND sipping! Read the original article on Real Simple


Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Arkansas Governor Seeks to Block Health Insurance Rate Hikes
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she would oppose premium increases from health insurers including Centene Corp., an early sign of the political maneuvering that's likely to follow instability in insurance markets. Some companies are requesting average rate increases of more than 50%, according to the Arkansas Insurance Department.