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#KidneyForPrima: A3C's Own Tells Her Story

Ashley Vance
Posted by Ashley Vance on Oct 3

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When I first met Prima, I knew she was a fighter.

Hanging out with the home team at the A3C office, I had the pleasure of hearing Prima discuss her search for a Kidney along her journey to recovery. She survived Lupus and a triple bypass, all while thriving as a valued member of our team for 7 solid years. 

Chardae “Prima Diego” Sanders' battle with Kidney Disease is due to complications from her previous illness and has her still in search of a donor to receive a transplant. Her need and the needs of over 80,000 other names on the waiting list for a healthy kidney led her to become heavily involved with  the National Kidney Foundation, pledging that she'd dedicate her free time to educating people on the cause.

Read our discussion below to learn more about her journey.

Tell us About Prima! We want more.

Prima is the pure definition of surviving. I am a 30-year-old manager of an amazing DJ, DJ Outta Space, I’m an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation, at-home comedian, foodie and most importantly I am a survivor of a triple bypass and Lupus,  and current kidney transplant candidate.

What's unique about your position with A3C?

My position(s) over the years have been strategically tailored around my dialysis schedule. As an individual fighting kidney disease and working in the entertainment industry you rarely find companies/organizations that are willing to compromise. But the A3C team has been heaven sent with accommodations.

How has music impacted your life?

Believe it or not A3C was a major catalyst for me to get up and get going. I had open-heart surgery last year (March 2016) and I was determined to get back to A3C, for the music. I know it sounds crazy but music can motivate you through ways that some may never understand. Music got me through some of the roughest times in my life, particularly hip-hop. For instance, my father passed on March 11, 2014 and I was waking up in ICU from a 13-hour open-heart surgery on March 11, 2016. I needed a peace of mind ya know? I guess you can say, in addition to constant prayer, having an amazing Mom and surgical staff, Hip-Hop saved my life.

How do you balance it all? The health issues and doing what you love?

To be honest, prayer and my iPhone LOL. I have to stay organized and not push myself, though I think I am superwoman I have to pace myself. But there are celebs battling the same health issues as me, like Nick Cannon (mild kidney failure / lupus nephritis) and Selena Gomez (who recently had a kidney transplant). I feel like our bodies our designed to rest but there is a demand that we have to meet and we can sometimes push it to the limit. I am finding ways to incorporate both of my passions though, through #KidneyforPrima. I advocate for kidney disease awareness and prevention through some of my friends in the industry through fundraisers. 

What can people learn from your story?

I want people to know that I have had over 100+ procedures/surgeries, I go to dialysis three times a week, I’ve had open heart surgery and I have been waiting for a kidney transplant for 7 years, yet I make sure to smile and push through! I want my story to be a testament that giving up is not an option. I want people to know that A3C is not just a festival and conference; it’s a family, one that ignited my passion for helping indie-artist.

 What are you looking forward to this year at A3C?

Besides the food trucks? (I told you I was a foodie!) I am looking forward to seeing NAS, The Strictly R&B Showcase and Sonny Digital. Most of all I am looking to create new memories :)

Ashley Vance

Written by Ashley Vance

Vance is A3C's Editor-in-Chief. Working as an Atlanta-based content guru, she dedicates her free time to helping artists build lasting brands.

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