Largo, FL (WFLA) — The director of the Largo Public Library has an eye on the community. Casey McPhee, 58, is looking for a living donor for her while battling kidney disease.
McPhee is one of more than 90,000 Americans awaiting kidney donation, according to the National Kidney Registry. She has been on the transplant list for three years, waiting for a kidney.
During her travels, she continues to devote herself to the Largo Library and realize her dream job.
“I think it’s the best job in the world,” McPhee said. “Surrounded by books, you can help people.”
McPhee has been with the City of Largo since 2002 as Deputy Librarian. And three years later she was promoted to director of the Largo Public Library. When McPhee isn’t at the library, she’s on dialysis nine hours a day, seven days a week and battling end-stage kidney disease.
“It started about eight or nine years ago,” she said.
At the time, McPhee’s blood tests revealed declining kidney function. She went to the doctor to cure her illness.
“I wake up pretty hopeful every day. Now I have good days and bad days when I don’t feel great,” McPhee said.
McPhee knows a lot about kidney disease. Thirty years ago she took her own mother’s life. McPhee needs a transplant to make sure she has her husband and 23-year-old son by her side.
“He’s actually the same age as I was when I lost my mom, so I think about that sometimes. I wonder how he’ll take it and how he’ll go on without me.” she said.
McPhee is on two local transplant lists because his kidney function is down to 2%. She needs help finding a living kidney donor for her O blood type.
“I’m still waiting for someone to come along and offer the gift of life,” she said.
If you want to help McPhee, call Tampa General Hospital or the Largo HCA. Both hospitals have transplant programs.
