Living Loud, Living Fully: Carswell’s Life After Kidney Transplant
For Carswell, life has always been about navigating challenges with heart and finding joy and identity in the spaces between. As a trans, bisexual kidney transplant recipient, Carswell embodies what it means to live fully and unapologetically. This Pride Month, we’re honored to share their story: one of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of organ donation.
Diagnosed at age six with primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic condition that damages the kidneys and liver, Carswell spent much of their childhood living what felt like a “normal” life. “When you’re diagnosed young, you don’t really think about your life as different,” they shared. “It’s just your life.”
But in March 2020, everything changed. Carswell’s kidneys had failed, and they were placed on dialysis three times a week. At the same time, they were enrolled in a clinical trial that offered hope, but only after confirmation that they had been receiving the placebo did they finally gain access to the real treatment.
It helped. But the journey wasn’t easy.
Carswell experienced setbacks and complications, including a rare virus, time off the transplant list, and physical exhaustion. “I was a slug in my own life,” they said. “Sleeping, doing the bare minimum. I couldn’t do the things I loved.”
But on April 8, 2022, after years of uncertainty, a call came in: a kidney was available. The transplant took place the next day. “It was a whirlwind,” they recalled. “We had to call my mom, grab our bags, tell everyone. I was just about to leave dialysis when they told me. It felt surreal.”
A Return to the Stage—and Self
Carswell’s life after transplant hasn’t been without challenges, but it’s come with more freedom, connection, and creativity.
A passionate performer and storyteller, Carswell has always found joy in theater and writing. “There’s something about the connection on stage, you don’t get that anywhere else,” they shared. After the transplant, they enrolled in community college, began studying film, and started dreaming big again.
Though they had to step back from a recent role, Carswell treasures every performance. “One of my best friends played my sister. Her character died, and I had to scream and cry over her, and we kept trying not to laugh the entire time. It was beautiful.”
Pride, Identity & Choosing to Live Boldly
As someone who identifies as trans and bisexual, Pride Month carries deep significance for Carswell. “Pride is both a celebration and a recognition of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go,” they said. “It’s about not being silenced. About saying, we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere.”
They see clear parallels between their medical journey and their identity journey. “Transplant forced me to reclaim control over my life. So did transitioning. Both have made me more vocal, more honest, and more focused on the life I want to live.”
The Power of Organ Donation
“The last three years have been the most joyous of my life,” Carswell said. “That’s only because I was able to receive a kidney. It didn’t fix everything, but it gave me the chance to try.”
That chance to live, to love, to create is the very gift that donation makes possible.
Be the Reason Someone Gets Their Second Act
During Pride Month and beyond, we celebrate people like Carswell who remind us that every life is worthy, every story matters, and every “yes” to do
nation creates a ripple of hope.
You can be part of that ripple.
👉 Register today at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org
👉 Talk to your family about your decision
👉 Share your story to inspire others
Because someone like Carswell is out there, waiting for their spotlight, their story, and their second chance.
