Beth’s Kidney Search

05/09/2026

Just a quick update… apparently stopping everything and resting your mind and body helps. For those of you who know me, I have never been good at slowing down. taking time for myself and it took an enormous toll on every part of me. I have been out of work on leave since Christmas and this is the only thing I have changed.

This allowed me to sleep, a tremendous amount, attend more doctor appointment than I could ever imagine and sleep some more.

My latest lab work shows my decline has at least stabilized. While transplant is inevitable, the positive side is I am on the transplant list but inactive right now because I need to get worse before I get better. Double edge sword but the fact that I can hang on to my ‘native’ kidneys a little longer is a good thing.

Here is the hardest part, I love my work with every fiber of my being…but for now, I need to step away. I am taking next year off in hopes I can focus on what the doctors are telling me to do and breathe. There is so much that makes this decision difficult but the hardest part is pausing my passion for working with kids and walking away from one of the most incredible schools, staff and communities I have had the privilege to lead.

We can do hard things, right?!? Everything in life has a lesson, this one has been really hard to figure out and I’m sure this will be a big one…thank you to all who continue to support me through this experience, I could not do this alone.

03/25/2026

Join our FREE Living Kidney Donation Explained: A Conversation Series to hear real stories about living kidney donation and get your questions answered by people who have experienced the process firsthand. Learn what it takes to donate, what recovery looks like, and how living donation can change lives. Register: https://bit.ly/4bDK1S0

03/25/2026

Wondering about kidney disease? March is a perfect month to increase your awareness and protect yourself and those you love from what is often a silent disease.

March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about kidney health and the millions of people affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Kidney disease often develops silently, with many people unaware they have it until it reaches advanced stages. That’s why education, early detection, and access to care are so important.

Throughout the month, the National Kidney Foundation is encouraging everyone to learn more about their kidney health, understand their risk factors, and take steps toward prevention.

From understanding the signs of CKD to exploring treatment and support resources, knowledge can make a life-changing difference.

Learn more at kidney.org and join us in spreading awareness this National Kidney Month.

03/25/2026

What started as a routine ER visit became the day Deven’s life changed forever.

In June 2025, Deven Ricci was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure after what should have been an ordinary hospital visit. Shortly after, he learned he has X-linked Alport Syndrome, a genetic condition that leads to kidney failure — but importantly, does not return after transplant.

Within days, Deven began emergency dialysis. He was placed on the transplant list. Severe complications kept him hospitalized for weeks — at one point, he temporarily lost the ability to walk.

Today, Deven is home. And he’s fighting.

He undergoes dialysis three times a week, attends physical therapy, and continues working tirelessly to rebuild his strength.

But a kidney transplant would change everything.

It would mean:
💚 Freedom from dialysis
💚 Restored energy
💚 The ability to travel
💚 Returning to school
💚 Running again — something he loves deeply

Deven is currently seeking a living kidney donor. Sharing his story could be the connection that changes his life.

If you’ve ever considered becoming a living donor — or want to learn more about the process — now is the time.

👉 Visit: https://kidneysforkindness.org

And if you’re not a match, sharing this post could help him find one. Hope spreads faster than we think. 💚

03/25/2026

Update: Monday, March 30th and 31st I meet with the transplant team at Mass General to have All day testing both days. After that I should have everything needed to start matching. If you would like to apply to be a live donor, click here.

https://www.mghlivingdonors.org/

The hospital will be reaching out to each person who has listed my name and has gotten through the initial screening survey after that.

Please know, if you are not a match for me you may be able to save someone else’s life.

Thank you for your interest in being a living donor at MGH. We appreciate your altruism. Please answer all the questions to the best of your knowledge. Providing your relevant health information will help us determine your eligibility to become a living donor. Please include your email address as it...

03/25/2026

It’s hard to find the right words to fully express my gratitude after the spaghetti supper in Antrim. My heart is so full. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who organized, supported, and showed up for my family and me. The amount of love, care, and generosity in that room was truly overwhelming in the best possible way. It made the evening even more meaningful knowing it took place during March—Kidney Disease Awareness Month—bringing even greater purpose to such an incredible event.

Although I wasn’t able to stay for the entire evening, it meant so much to see so many familiar faces—family, friends, and community members—coming together in such a meaningful way.

I feel incredibly blessed to be part of a community that shows up for one another the way you all did. Your kindness, encouragement, and support lifted me up more than you know.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 💙

02/01/2026

Many have asked while filling out the donation paperwork what last name to add. Mass general still has me listed under Dunham because I have been going there for so long for a different medical need. My insurance is listed under Dunham Gibney so any of those should work and I can confirm with the transplant team.

02/01/2026

I am at a loss for words. The outpouring of support, love and positivity is overwhelming and humbling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

01/30/2026

Dear Friends,

Ok, this feels completely strange and scary, to make myself vulnerable on facebook like this, but here’s the deal: my kidneys are failing and I need someone to donate a kidney in order to live.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Beth Gibney (Gunter) (Dunham). I was born and raised in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire and find myself back on the same street I grew up on many years later. I have a husband, Josh, daughter, Riley, and a giant dog named Finley. I love to garden, spend time with my family and friends, kayak, practice yoga and above all laugh and have fun. I have spent the last 25+ years in education; teaching, learning, leading and developing life long relationships…I absolutely love what I do.

I now have kidneys that are no longer filtering the way they should. About two years ago following bloodwork from a routine physical, I learned they were not functioning well. I have been working with doctors to try to find out why this is happening but we still don’t have a clear answer. What we do know is over the last year the decline has occurred quickly and has led me to need a transplant.

I have been referred to the kidney transplant center at Mass General Hospital and I am in the process of going through all of the tests to determine what I need for a match. Once those tests are completed and I am completely registered on the kidney transplant list, the average wait time for a cadaver kidney is 5 years, during which time I will get really sick and need to be on dialysis. A kidney from a living donor, once matched, can mean an immediate transplant. And a successful transplant from a living donor can last over 20 years. The doctors are very careful in making sure any candidates for donors are healthy enough to donate.

Many of you know I love to help others but I am pretty terrible about asking for help myself and this feels like a very big leap of faith to be posting this personal information and “BIG ASK” online. However, I know that I will not find a donor if I do not ask or share my story.

If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to talk and to explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact Massachusetts General Hospital’s kidney program directly at
https://mghlivingdonors.org/.

Please “like” and “share” this page widely. I will continue to post information about my progress and information about the lifesaving gift of kidney donation in general.

With gratitude, love and hope,
Beth

01/30/2026