My name is Spencer Waddell, and this is the story of how losing my father brought me to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. My father battled kidney disease for 16 years before he passed away in 2014. He was my best friend, and I learned so much from him. Despite his health condition, he never let it affect our lives; he took great pride in being a father and maintained a positive spirit. As the pastor of Love Inspirational Deliverance Center, his mantra was always, "He that winneth souls is wise."
After his passing, I fell into a deep depression. With the help of meditation, reading, prayer, and the support of my friends, family, and therapist, I was able to pull myself out of the darkness and begin to move forward. Today, I am in a much better place mentally and know that my father would be proud of the person I've become and the accomplishments my brother and I have achieved, both personally and professionally, in his absence.
Over the years, I have dedicated my time to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois as a volunteer. This role has given me a deep sense of purpose, one I don’t take for granted. If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, I highly encourage you to visit their website and see how you can get involved. I know I will continue to support the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois for the rest of my life, as this organization means so much to me.
Volunteering my time to such a meaningful cause has been incredibly rewarding.
If there’s one piece of advice I would give, it’s this: Make sure to get your kidneys screened annually, in addition to your regular check-ups with your primary care doctor. Maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and exercise as much as possible. Stay positive and optimistic and remember that everyone’s journey is unique.
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