Tahirah Austin Muhammad has always been a fighter. As a Black woman living with Sickle Cell Disease, she knows what it means to advocate for herself in spaces where her pain is often dismissed. But nothing could have prepared her for the uphill battle she’s faced since giving birth to her daughter in 2016.

Shortly after delivery, Tahirah developed postpartum eclampsia, an often life-threatening condition that affects Black women at disproportionately higher rates. In fact, Black women are 60% more likely to experience preeclampsia and eclampsia compared to white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They are also three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications.

But instead of answers, Tahirah was met with delays and dismissals.IMG 0402

“I had been swelling for months, and doctors kept giving me fluid pills,” she recalled. “But I knew my body. I knew something wasn’t right.”

It wasn’t until 2018, two years later, that Tahirah received a proper diagnosis. After seeking out a nephrologist on her own, she underwent lab work, a biopsy, and a thorough chart review. The answer: Stage 3 chronic kidney disease. It was a moment that was both devastating and validating.

“Because I have Sickle Cell, doctors often chalk everything up to that,” Tahirah said. “But my kidney failure wasn’t a complication of Sickle Cell. It was something more.”

Thanks to her persistence and the expertise of her nephrologist, she was able to get on the transplant list quickly and avoid immediate dialysis. But as her conditionIMG 0403 worsened, dialysis became inevitable.

Now, Tahirah spends four hours, three days a week, receiving treatment. It leaves her feeling physically and emotionally drained.

“To go from being an active mom who takes my daughter to the park to being so exhausted I can’t even stand is so disheartening for me,” she said.

Her kidney function is down to just seven percent. Even a healthy food like avocado can pose a danger to her health. In a recent scare, she passed out at home after unknowingly consuming too much potassium. Her daughter, still so young, called her father and stayed by her mother’s side until help arrived.

“She literally saved my life,” Tahirah shared, her voice full of emotion.

And yet, through all of it, Tahirah holds onto her hope. She has dreams, not just for survival, but for a vibrant, meaningful life. She wants to return to her career as a Pediatric Research Coordinator. She wants to walk beside her daughter every step of the way, from science fair wins to veterinary school acceptance letters.

“I need a kidney transplant because I want to live for myself and to fulfill my purpose,” she shared. “I have a lot to give to others. Most importantly, I want to raise my daughter properly and support her dreams so she never has to experience the Page001 24trauma of losing her mother young, like I did.”

Tahirah also carries deep love and gratitude for her husband, who has supported her for over 15 years, not just through illness, but in life, family, and career.

“I want to support my husband with his dreams and purpose so he doesn’t spend the rest of our time together only being my caregiver,” she said. “I want to repay him with good health and love on him the way he’s loved on me.”

The Truth About Organ Donation

For many, the idea of organ donation raises questions, especially in the Black  community, where medical mistrust runs deep. But Tahirah wants to dispel the myths.

Tahirah wants people to know that becoming a kidney donor isn’t as complicated or risky as it may seem.

“When you become a donor, if you ever need an organ yourself, you’re moved to the top of the transplant list,” she explained. “Your travel and lodging are covered, and the recipient’s insurance takes care of all medical costs.”

And there are innovative options available through paired exchange and voucher programs, recipients like Tahirah can still receive a kidney even if their donor isn’t a perfect match.

If you’re not a direct match, you can participate in a paired donation program donating to someone in need while your intended recipient is matched with another donor. There’s even a family voucher system, allowing you to donate now and secure a potential future transplant for a loved one.

Programs like the Donor Shield Protections are available through the National Kidney Registry and can help cover lost wages and more. And all medical expenses, including surgery and hospital stays, are fully covered by the recipient’s insurance.

Tahirah urges those who may not be in a position to donate to still take action.

“If donation is not for you, please consider advocating for someone to be a donor,” she said. “You can be a big help just by sharing my story. Just by spreading the word, you might help save my life or the life of someone else.”

A Call To Action: We Are The Cure

To help bring more awareness, Tahirah has been working with the Sickle Cell Consortium’s We Are The Cure initiative. A campaign designed to increase Black participation in bone marrow and organ donation registries.

By texting SC3 to 61474, individuals can begin the simple cheek swab process to determine if they’re a match for someone in need.

A Crisis Within a Crisis

Tahirah’s experience is not isolated. The National Kidney Foundation reports that Black Americans are three times more likely to suffer from kidney failure, yet they are less likely to receive timely diagnoses and equitable access to transplants. And when you compound that with pregnancy-related conditions like eclampsia, where systemic racism in maternal health care continues to threaten Black lives, the crisis deepens.

This is why her story matters. It’s about one woman’s courage, yes, but it’s also about collective accountability.

Tahirah’s story is a reminder of how fragile, yet powerful, life can be. It’s also a call to action for all of us, especially within the Black community.

To learn more, ask questions, and consider how we can give the gift of life.

To learn more about kidney donation or register to become a living donor, visit the National Kidney Registry.