Falls Twp. Woman Shares Struggles & Hopes As She Searches For Kidney

When Petra Chesner Schlatter started her search for a kidney donor a few years back, she didn’t know what to expect.

The Falls Township resident and retired journalist has been searching for a donor and had several interested parties – which she is appreciative for – but none have worked out so far.

Schlatter is among 105,751 people on the national transplant waiting list. And she knows she’s not alone.

“It can be tough some days,” she said. “But I hope I can find a living kidney donor.”

Schlatter prays to find a living kidney donor to avoid having to go on dialysis.

“Donation of a living kidney will greatly increase my quality of life and prevent dialysis, which cannot be performed forever. If I do not find a living donor, I would start dialysis by the end of the year,” she explained.

On dialysis, her wait for a kidney, which would be from a deceased donor as opposed to a live donor, could take up to seven years.

“In the U.S., there are over 100,000 people waiting for a deceased donor kidney transplant. That is why it takes five to seven years to get a kidney transplant,” said Bethany Hosier, kidney transplant coordinator for Jefferson Health.

Schlatter suffers from fourth-stage kidney disease and only has 14 percent function of her kidneys.

Schlatter said other ailments she suffers from make receiving dialysis hard and even more of a challenge for her.

The grandmother and retired journalist said she’s hoping a kidney transplant allows her to continue living and resume a sense of normalcy.

“I want to experience my grandchildren grow up. Being with them brings joy to my life. My grandson just turned two years old and my granddaughter just celebrated her eighth birthday,” she said.

The search for a living kidney donor has taken its toll on Schlatter, who has tried to maintain a positive attitude through it all.

With COVID-19 concerns and Schlatter’s health being in a already weakened state, she has largely shied away from big gatherings and spent much more time at home.

“It can be tough,” she said.

Schlatter recently missed her grandkids’ birthday party due to COVID-19 concerns.

“There was a joint birthday party for them, but I could not go because I am high risk of getting COVID-19. I stay away from large groups because they could be super spreaders,” she said.

Schlatter, who has worked for the former Bristol Pilot, Yardley News, The Advance of Bucks County, and famed Philadelphia consumer reporter Herb Denenberg, has friends and family that talk to her and visit. She stays involved and hopes a donated kidney will allow her to get back out into the world more regularly.

“My day-to-day activities are so constant that I am having to rely on many people to help me. My doctor says I will go on dialysis before the end of the year if I don’t find a living kidney donor,” she said.

Schlatter said her Christian faith, which she is still getting reacquainted with and exploring, has helped her through the challenges. She believes in miracles and hopes she will receive one.

Schlatter has Type O positive blood and needs a donor that has either Type O positive or negative.

Donors have their medical costs and related expenses picked up by the hospital and the recipient’s insurance.

Anyone interested in seeing if they can be a donor can contact Schlatter at kidneytransplant1234@gmail.com with their full name and phone number.

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