Lights, Camera, Kidneys: The Making of Mother May I Have a Kidney?

Veronica Reyes-How was working 16-hour days as a tech consultant when she stumbled upon a thought exercise: What would you do if you only had a year to live?

Her answer was surprising, even to herself. She'd want to perform in her favorite musical, Rent.

Veronica decided to chase her dream. She went to an open audition, landed a spot on tour, and became an actress. She continued to book roles in theater, commercials, TV, and film. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everything stopped. With fewer acting jobs available, Veronica turned to something new: writing.

^{Director Paul Schnee (L) and Veronica Reyes-How (R). Photo Credit: Sebastian Betts}

Encouraged by a mentor, Veronica began writing scripts.

"One of my early projects, American Doctor, inspired by my mother, is about a physician with a photographic memory," Veronica said. "The script earned me a Sesame Workshop Writers' Room fellowship."

From there, more opportunities opened up, including a commission for a new project.

"This story started as a lighthearted comedy,” said Veronica, “but the new director, Paul Schnee, asked for something with a bit more depth.”

Veronica began brainstorming. 

^{From Left to Right: Paul Schnee, Veronica Reyes-How, and Benjamin J Murray. Photo Credit: Leo Chen}

Around the same time, Veronica’s father was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She also remembered losing both an aunt and a cousin to kidney disease. Their struggles began shaping this new story.

"I thought about needing a kidney donor, and your best option is the one person on Earth you're not speaking to," Veronica said. "It felt like a compelling story to explore."

That's how Mother, May I Have a Kidney? was born.

Mother, May I Have a Kidney is about Doug Andrews, a kidney failure patient played by Doug Plaut, looking for a living kidney donor. 

"His best match is his estranged mother. The story explores their relationship as they work to reconcile," Veronica said. "Once the project was greenlit, I wrote and we produced a six-episode, 15-minute-per-episode series."

Mother, May I Have a Kidney took three years to complete. All the effort was worth it when they were accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival. 

"Tribeca is Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal's baby. It's for celebrity-driven, high-powered projects," Veronica said. "I didn't think we had a shot. But it proves that amazing things can happen when you take that leap."

When Veronica writes, she tries to step fully into her character’s shoes. 

“To do that,” she explained, “I had to learn more about kidney disease, dialysis, and organ donation.”

She leaned on people close to her for guidance, including her mother and a nephrologist she plays tennis with. 

“I wanted to show the reality of kidney failure and organ donation,” Veronica said. “When the National Kidney Foundation endorsed the project, I knew we were on the right track.”

The lessons weren’t just medical. They were deeply emotional. 

“I learned how difficult dialysis is and how long it can take a person to get a kidney transplant,” Veronica said. “Kidney disease doesn’t affect a single group. It can happen to anyone, but we rarely talk about it.”

That’s why Veronica believes raising awareness is just as important as telling a good story. 

“I hope viewers walk away more informed and less scared about kidney donation,” Veronica said. “I’ve signed all the paperwork myself for deceased organ donation. I think it’s important since the waitlist for organs is so long.”

Veronica hopes that her viewers walk away feeling similarly inspired. 

“I hope the show inspires people to get tested for kidney disease, sign up for deceased organ donation, and learn more about giving the gift of life as a living donor.”

Are you at risk of kidney disease? Take our one-minute quiz to find out.