Susan Eshkar, 61, has suffered from polycystic kidney disease — an inherited condition that causes clusters of cysts to form on the kidney — since 1994. Over time, her kidney function has slowly worsened.

Now, she’s looking for a kidney donor. If she doesn’t receive a healthy kidney soon, she will have to begin prolonged dialysis treatment.

“This would save my life,” said Eshkar, who lives in La Selva Beach in Santa Cruz County and is a former special education teacher. She is involved in two local Chabad centers and is a former member of Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, where two of her sons became bar mitzvah.

Eshkar can accept both A and O blood types. Those with different blood types still have an opportunity to help Eshkar by participating in a kidney exchange program, which places potential donors in a larger pool.

Contact Chaya Lipschutz by email at [email protected], online at kidneymatchmaker.com or by phone at (917) 627-8336.