Kidney Transplant Advocate Receives DAR Award

The Polly Cooper Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented the DAR Community Service Award to Leesa Thompson, a kidney health advocate. The DAR Community Service Award honors and recognizes outstanding voluntary community service by individuals. Leesa received the award for her volunteer contributions as a kidney coach and for her service in the kidney transplant community. The award was presented during the chapter’s annual meeting on May 5, 2024.

Kim McCrea, chair of the chapter’s Community Service Awards Committee, explained how Leesa came to be selected as an award recipient. In 2022, Leesa founded and is the President of "Kidney Stories", a specialized club of Toastmasters International, that promotes the development of communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. The “Kidney Stories” club is dedicated to kidney patients, recipients, donors, caregivers, and healthcare workers. Leesa, who received a life-saving kidney transplant from a living donor in 2018, recognized that others needed support navigating a diagnosis of kidney disease requiring a kidney transplant. Kidney Stories meetings are a place of encouragement and inspiration while also providing a forum for obtaining services and support from a large community of people experiencing the same issues.
After receiving the award, Leesa shared emotional words with the Polly Cooper Chapter members and guests: "I am deeply honored to receive this award from the DAR. Sharing my journey and advocating for the kidney community is incredibly important to me. This recognition not only acknowledges my efforts but also shines a light on the vital role of organ donation and community support. " Her words sparked a meaningful discussion about kidney health issues and the challenges faced by those in need of kidney and other organ donations.
Learn more about Leesa Thompson and Kidney Stories at kidneystories.com.

To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.
Polly Cooper Chapter, NSDAR was established in Chappaqua, New York, and our service projects have supported education and literacy, historic preservation, conservation initiatives, veterans and active-duty service members, genealogy research, naturalization ceremonies for new citizens and more. Now is a great time to discover if you have an American Revolutionary ancestor as our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

For more information about Polly Cooper Chapter's activities and membership, please email the chapter at info@pollycooperdar.org.