241: How a Kidney Transplant started a mission to help Transplant Families-Cheryl + Kimmy's Story

“Our goal wasn’t to build something huge overnight – it was to listen to families, fill the gaps, and take that first step.” – Cheryl Whitty

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.

In this heartfelt episode, Katie sits down with mother-daughter duo, Cheryl Witty and  Kimmy Witty to hear the inspiring story of how their family journeyed through chronic kidney disease and how a kidney transplant led to the creation of the Children's Transplant Initiative (CTI). Kimmy shares her personal experience of being diagnosed at age 12, receiving a life-saving kidney transplant, and how that experience fueled her passion for helping other families.

Kimmy is now a certified Child Life Specialist and shares how her experiences inspired her to choose this as her career.  Cheryl reflects on her journey of being a mother and caregiver and how CTI has grown to provide housing, financial assistance, and mentorship for transplant families across Texas. Cheryl and Kimmy shares her experience transitioning from pediatric to adult care and how the role of parents can shift as their children grow into adulthood.

🔑 Key Points:

• Kimmy’s Transplant Journey: Diagnosed at 12 with a rare kidney disease, Kimmy received a life-saving transplant from her father, inspiring her passion for helping others.

• Founding Children’s Transplant Initiative (CTI): Kimmy, Cheryl and Ross created CTI to support transplant families through mentorship, financial aid, and housing programs.

• Programs and Growth: CTI began by mentoring one family at a time and has grown to provide housing for families in Houston and Austin, with plans to expand to Dallas.

• Kimmy’s Career Path: Inspired by her experiences, Kimmy is starting as a Child Life Specialist  to support children facing medical challenges.

• Family Strength and Advocacy: Cheryl and Kimmy reflect on resilience, emphasizing how personal experiences can drive advocacy and create lasting impact for others.

✨ Takeaways for Listeners:

• The importance of starting small—CTI began with just one family in need.
• Pediatric transplant patients often face lifelong medical journeys, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and resources.
• Personal experiences can lead to powerful career paths—Kimmy’s journey inspired her to become a Child Life Specialist.

🌐 Links and Resources from today's Episdoe 

• Visit the Children's Transplant Initative's Website to learn more about the incredible resources they offer to families in Texas 

📲 Follow CTI on Social Media:

• Instagram
• Facebook

❤️ Ready to make hospital visits and medical journeys easier for your family? With SupportSpot, you get instant access to expert child life tips, emotional support, and resources right at your fingertips. For the next 7 days, try it FREE and discover how this app can reduce stress, ease your child’s anxiety, and help you feel more prepared every step of the way. Subscribers have the opportunity to sign up for a free visit with a Child Life Specialist at CLOC to help you get the support you need from SupportSpot. Try it free by clicking this link. 

 

🎙️Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan