Who Am I?
Well, besides being the proud owner of two barely functional beans currently plotting against me, I’m a pretty normal human. I’m 63 years old and live in Limerick, PA with my husband, Chris, who has been my rock for 23 years. Together we’ve built a life filled with love, laughter, and resilience. I’m also a mom. Our oldest son, David, passed away in 2016, and our younger son, Brian, now lives nearby with his wife and our beautiful new grandson, Daniel. Becoming a grandmother this year has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Professionally, I spent 35 years in Human Resources across industries like banking, pharmaceuticals, and biotech. I was lucky to find a career I truly loved.
I believe God’s got a good sense of humor because He handed me this challenge knowing I’d try to crack jokes about it. So here I am part patient, part optimist, and part stand-up comic—on a quest not for fame or fortune, but for one generous human willing to spare a spare kidney.
My Interests:
Outside of work, I’ve always been a collector of craft supplies, crocheter with a yarn collection which will last for over 100 years, avid reader in an endless love affair with her Kindle, and occasional songwriter, whose songs will most likely never be heard by anyone other than my husband. I am a big advocate of random acts of kindness, and I love spending time being a pet nanny. But as my kidney disease has progressed, fatigue has stolen much of the joy from these simple pleasures and many I can simply no longer due to lack of energy.
I also love to support non-profits whose missions are close to my heart: homelessness, substance use disorder, neurodiversity, and community needs.
My Diagnosis:
I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2017, likely due to years of medication used to control high blood pressure. Despite every effort to slow its progression, by June 2025 I reached the point where I needed to begin the transplant process while preparing for dialysis.
Living with end-stage renal failure is more than numbers on a chart. It’s the invisible weight of exhaustion that follows me everywhere. Physically, mentally—it drains me. Simple things, like making dinner, running errands, or meeting friends, often feel impossible.
How A Kidney Transplant Will Affect My Life:
Chris, my husband, has been my tireless partner through it all—researching diets, cooking special meals, and supporting me in every imaginable way (and often with his trademark humor). But what I want more than anything is my energy back. I want to cook dinner for him again. I want to enjoy outings with friends without always saying, “I’m too tired.” Most of all, I want to have the strength to scoop up my grandson and tell his parents, “Go enjoy yourselves, I’ve got him!”. I just miss having energy.
My Blood Type: A
Teri is asking for your help, as she urgently needs a kidney!
It takes an extraordinarily special person to save another person’s life!
Please consider being Teri’s kidney donor, and give her the Gift of Life!
Please share Teri’s story & information with all of your friends and family, and ask them to share it as well.
Listed at:
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
To Inquire About Living Kidney Donation for Teri, Contact:
Call UPenn: 215-662-6200
All costs throughout the transplant process would be covered by Teri’s medical insurance.
Teri Black Age: 63
