Kyla-Tana Aquino -- United States

Name: Kyla-Tana Aquino

Age: 18

Transplant: Kidney, 1995

Hometown: Sacramento, California

Events: Race walk, badminton

Kyla's Story: To be totally honest, I competed in my first US Transplant Games in 1996 with the hope of bringing a medal home to Sacramento. My medical team at Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, my friends at Florin High School, as well as the entire Filipino community counted on me to do my best. My father, who is my kidney donor and an exceptional athlete, had given me an unspoken obligation to excellence. How could I let anyone down? In the short time that I spent in Salt Lake City, Utah, I did more than win gold medals in the long jump and 500 meter racewalk, and a silver medal in the softball throw. I was able to prove to the world that organ transplantation works. I showed my father that he not only saved my life, but he also gave me the chance to improve it. I know now what my medals mean to me. They stand for an amazing year of medial tests, dialysis treatments, medications, and operations I've tolerated and survived. My mother and I found ourselves outraged that there were so many fearful Filipinos on dialysis unaware that kidney transplantation is a successful alternative. I realized then that I needed to make a difference for my community. I will be competing in the World Transplant Games as a member of Team USA, but I understand that I am also a Filipino-American.

Each day that I live is an opportunity to represent and inform the Asian-American community. I once thought that chronic kidney failure was the end of my life. However, the gift of my Pop's kidney has allowed me to begin with a whole new perspective. The transplant has given me the opportunity to become involved in a cause I truly believe in.

I was able to write a children's book about kidney disease, entitled, Kyla's Kidney Adventure, now published by the National Kidney Foundation. I was featured in Seventeen Magazine and awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Later that year, I was the keynote speaker at the National Kidney Foundation's 1996 Author's luncheon, where I was introduced by best-selling author Amy Tan. Recently, I founded a nonprofit organization for chronically-ill youth, called The Shining Youth Network (SH.Y.NE). 

My Message to the World: I know that last summer I brought home something more precious than any trophy; I came home with a determination to influence the world.

 

Last modified: 11 May 2000