Hip-Hop artist Philadelphia Freeway: “Let’s Help Each Other”
For Hip-Hop artist Leslie Pridgen, aka Philadelphia Freeway, the gift of life is something precious to both give and receive.
He endured dialysis three times a week after being diagnosed with kidney failure in 2015. Thanks to an organ donor hero, Freeway received a transplant five years ago.
The joy of receiving his second chance at life was followed by a devastating loss when Freeway’s beloved son, Jihad, died in 2020. Knowing the powerful impact of organ donation, Freeway supported the opportunity for Jihad to become a donor hero and save four lives.
TAKE ACTION!
Sign up today, spread the word and bring hope to the thousands of children and adults awaiting a life saving transplant. It’s easy, private and takes less than one minute to sign up today at donors1.org/register.
Freeway’s personal experience with organ donation fuels his passion as an advocate for Gift of Life Donor Program, which is honoring its 50th anniversary with a campaign to sign up 50,000 more organ donors. More than half of those waiting are from communities of color. Close to 90 percent of waitlist patients in our region need a kidney transplant.
“You can live a successful life on dialysis but the best thing for a person on dialysis is a kidney transplant because it increases your life expectancy,” Freeway said. “I had three risk factors for kidney failure, one being hypertension, another one being diabetes and, surprisingly, just being African American is a risk factor. That’s why it’s so important to me to raise awareness and try to give people a fighting chance to protect their health.”
Freeway is spreading the word that the high number of Black patients who need a transplant means that communities of color have great potential to save lives, relieve suffering and bring hope to their own families, friends, and neighbors by signing up to become an organ donor at donors1.org.
“High blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney failure are affecting our community at a rapid pace, but people are shying away from talking about it. So we’re starting a conversation and, God willing, we’ll be able to help each other,” he said.
Freeway’s advocacy includes serving on Gift of Life’s new Community Advisory Board and performing at our 27th Annual Donor Dash.
HELP YOURSELF
“We only have one body, our body is our temple, and we have to take care of it. The best thing to do is get your blood work done at least once a year and keep up with your routine physicals.”
– Philadelphia Freeway
Giving Back,
Lifting Up
Freeway’s battle with kidney failure inspired him to launch Freedom Thinkers Academy, which provides low-cost workforce development programs in health and technology along with music workshops to promote achievement and help Philadelphia families rise out of poverty.
“I’m trying to give back as much as I can,” Freeway said. “Having a new lease on life thanks to my kidney transplant makes me appreciate everything. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m cherishing every moment.”
Learn more online at freedomthinkers.academy