Renowned humanitarian and founder of the Iya Foundation, Iya Bekondo-Granatella, has tragically passed away just a few days after undergoing a kidney transplant at a hospital in the United States.
Bekondo received her second kidney transplant on July 4, 2024, following her first kidney transplant, which was donated by her mother when she was just 17 years old.
Bekondo, often referred to as the “kidney warrior,” was known for her passionate advocacy for kidney disease awareness.
She dedicated her life to helping dozens of kidney patients in Cameroon and other low-income countries gain access to critical education and hemodialysis services.
Her untimely death has left a void in the community of kidney disease advocates and those she tirelessly worked to support.
Since 2021, Bekondo had been undergoing hemodialysis, a treatment she received three times a week, with each session lasting three hours.
Despite the physical toll this took on her, she remained steadfast in her mission to improve the lives of kidney disease patients.
She opted for a second kidney transplant this year.
Bekondo’s personal struggle with kidney disease was a driving force behind her advocacy.
In a video message shared on her Facebook page in March 2024, she shared the harsh realities of living with the condition.
“My reality is not being able to drink enough water no matter how thirsty I get because I no longer make urine and I can’t overwhelm my other organs, especially my heart, due to fluid buildup… My reality is that I don’t have the luxury to just eat all the delicious meals I crave… or basics like potatoes, mangoes or even chocolate because if I do I will have too much potassium in my blood, which will potentially stop my heart,” she said.
Her advocacy extended to encouraging early diagnosis and raising awareness about kidney disease.
This commitment led her to establish the Iya Foundation, a New Jersey-based non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about chronic kidney disease and raising funds for uninsured patients in low-income countries.
The foundation also provides counseling, education, nutrition advice, and support for kidney disease patients.
In addition to her humanitarian efforts, Bekondo had a distinguished professional career.
She was a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist at a leading global organization in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
Her educational background included a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Systems Management, and a Master of Science in Business Administration.
Bekondo’s professional journey spanned 13 years as a non-profit executive and eight years as a quality assurance specialist.
For the past two years, she held the position of senior quality assurance specialist.
Throughout her career, she often spoke about the challenges she faced, particularly the struggle to assert oneself and gain recognition for one’s rights.
Her perseverance and ability to overcome these challenges made her a role model for many, both within and outside the healthcare community.
Bekondo’s death is a profound loss to the global community of kidney disease advocates and patients.
