Milford Resident, 23, In Need Of Kidney Transplant

MILFORD, CT — Milford resident Samantha Markham, 23, has been challenged by health issues her entire life, but she hasn’t let it stop her from enjoying life and giving back to her community. However, the time has come when she needs a kidney transplant from a living donor.

Markham has lived with poor kidney function her entire life, but despite the challenges she has lived a pretty normal life, she said. She was president of ski club in high school and a competitive swimmer and member of the drama club.

She recently graduated from Quinnipiac University and now works as a full-time X-ray technologist. Markham aspires to continue her education and become an MRI technologist, and one day have a family of her own, along with several dogs.

“It is hard to put into words what being the recipient of a live donor kidney would mean to me,” she said on her Donor App page. “Receiving this gift would allow me the opportunity to accomplish new goals, dreams, and aspirations.”

Her father, Clay Markham, said he is proud of all of his daughter’s accomplishments and that she doesn’t let anything get in her way. The two hiked Mount Washington a few years ago.

“Like many people Sam has faced challenges in her life,” he said on the Donor App page. “She has also accomplished so much. To say I am proud of her is an understatement. She is my Hero. Sam has never let anything get in her way.”

Anyone interested in becoming a living tissue donor can learn more at Yale New Haven Transplantation Center’s website or call 866-925-3897.