Graduation is a student’s time to celebrate his or her accomplishments, reflect upon the past, look forward to the future and share the experience with family and friends.

Indeed, it’s a special time for everyone.

For Christy Pinmental, being able to take that walk and receive her diploma, represents much more than scholastic achievement.

“To be honest,” she said, “there were times I thought I’d never live to see this day.”

The 34-year-old communications major — who minored in non-profit organizations management — has battled a series of health issues, including diabetes and dysfunctional kidneys for most of her time as a Folsom Lake College student.

“A few years ago, when I found out I was able to get a kidney transplant, I was about to start my finals,” she recalled.

Luckily, Pinmental and her teachers were able to schedule a time for her to take the exams after her recovery.

Her health struggles started in February 2001. She said that her legs had been swelling. In a lot of pain, she was rushed to a hospital.

“I was in a coma for a few days. When I came out of it, I was confused why my parents were sleeping in my room,” she said.

Pinmental, a Shingle Springs native, was diagnosed with diabetes.

“Years ago, I was tested for it but there was a screw up. We didn’t know anything was wrong until I got sick and went into that coma,” she said.

The diabetes, in time, affected her kidneys.

“It also caused my right eye to lose 50 percent of my vision. My bones have been weakened by the disease too,” she said.

Pinmental has had to deal with staph infections, painful nerve disorders and long sessions on dialysis machines. She was placed on a donor’s list — and endured a waiting period of more than five years.

It was a “rough patch,” Pinmental said. Her parents, Joy and Bill, spent a lot of time helping her with trips to appointments and dialysis.

“My boyfriend, Greg (Handy), has been there too,” she said. “Yeah, times were tough but I had a great support system, thanks to the people I love.”

As Pinmental dealt with her health issues, she felt that “it was time to get on with my life.”

Not wanting to sit around and feel sorry for herself, Pinmental enrolled in college.

“It was early 2005. I saw this catalog about Folsom Lake College. It had programs that interested me,” she said. Plus, the location suited her.

Along with her classes, Pinmental volunteered with Golden State Donor Services, an organ donor agency based out of Sacramento. She worked with Donate Life California, a statewide registry of donors and has spoken with the state legislature on the importance of improving the organ donor process.

“I’ve spoken at schools and different organizations, telling people how important it is to donate their organs,” she said.

During most of this time, Pinmental was still on the list, waiting for a suitable kidney transplant.

“I was getting frustrated. It was all the energy that I had just to get through the day,” Pinmental said. “I kept clinging to that chance that I’d a call from the doctors.” However, friends of hers, people who were waiting for transplants themselves, were dying.

“Yeah, I was scared. I was scared I wasn’t going to make it,” she said.

On Nov. 15, 2006, she received the call from her doctors. “It was 2:13 a.m.,” she said. At first, I felt excited and relieved — then I realized that I’d have to miss finals.”

Pinmental sent out e-mails and then made early-morning phone calls to her teachers.

“They were all great,” she said with a laugh. “They told me not to worry about the tests and focus on getting the transplant and getting better.”

Pinmental hasn’t slowed down since receiving her transplant. She returned to school, throwing herself back into her routine of classes and working for Golden State Donor Services and Donate Life California, as well as speaking to anyone and everyone, from state senators to high school students, about organ donor registration. She plans on attending Sacramento State, continuing her studies and her goal.

“I want to work for (Golden State) and help them with their mission,” she said. “I know, firsthand, what it’s like. … I have a second chance at life now. I want to make sure others like me have that chance as well.”