Mills has been on a national registry for a kidney donor since February 2020 when she learned she would need a transplant. The hope is that the more awareness there is of polycystic kidney disease, the more likely a donor will make the live-saving act to donate a kidney to save Mills’ life.
For those like Mills who need a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney can come from a living donor or a recently deceased person.
“The average wait time for a deceased donor is approximately 3 to 5 years, so we are sharing my story in the hopes of finding a living donor willing to ‘share their spare’,’’ said Mills, who has been with Live Oak Restaurant Group for nearly 20 years, rising from entry-level line cook to her current executive position.