Tanner Smith was born with Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, characterized by end-stage kidney disease and other conditions. A student at Mississippi State, studying forestry, Tanner managed well until May 2024 when his doctors discovered only 5% kidney function and end-stage kidney failure. Smith went on hemodialysis at a clinic for three months, three days a week. When he switched to peritoneal dialysis, he did it at home every night. Tanner was placed on the UAB transplant list in October 2024 to wait for a match. This process sometimes takes years to complete. Tanner was able to manage home...
