Carmelle Bias has always been someone who lifts others up. She’s a businesswoman, a radio show host, and a big supporter of women entrepreneurs. Though her life has been full of challenges – especially health challenges – she’s never let them stop her.
“My mindset is always, ‘if I can make it through this, I can make it through anything,’” she said.
Diagnosed with lupus at age 16, Carmelle was aware kidney disease might be in her future; her grandfather had been diagnosed with both. And kidney disease is surprisingly common – in the U.S., more than 1 in 7 people are estimated to have it. But her doctors told her kidney disease wasn’t an immediate concern, so she focused on managing her lupus symptoms.
In 2020, she was surprised to learn her kidney function had dropped to just 10%. Her physician told her she was about two years away from needing dialysis. But even then, it didn’t feel imminent. She thought she had time – her doctors would monitor her, and if things changed, they’d tell her.
Meanwhile, “my life didn’t stop,” she said. In fact, it was busier than ever: She’d carved out time from running her own business to start a nonprofit and begin hosting a radio show, Women Empowerment Talk Radio, to support other small business owners, especially those who were just starting out. An entrepreneur herself, Carmelle knew how hard it can be to build something from nothing. She wanted to give other women a platform to share their stories, connect with marketing and business resources, and to learn from and uplift each other.
Early in her career, “I didn’t have much support, and was kind of just like, ‘OK, I’ll jump in’ and did most of the work myself – but you don’t have to take that route,” she said. “There are these resources out there, there is support out there. I tell business owners, ‘you don’t have to build your business alone’.”
A turning point
But in 2022 came a series of health blows: Carmelle battled a serious case of COVID-19, then later lost her eyesight to macular degeneration. Then, she began experiencing what she thought were pneumonia symptoms – uncontrollable coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue. A friend finally insisted she go to the hospital. There, doctors recognized the real cause: Her kidneys had finally failed. Carmelle began dialysis immediately.
Looking back, she wishes she had asked more questions and pushed for more information earlier. But she didn’t have anyone to guide her. Her grandfather, who had gone through similar experiences, had passed away. It was a turning point: She realized she had to get up to speed quickly on kidney disease and become her own best advocate.
“‘I’m going to learn what I need to learn, so I can continue on’ – that was my mindset,” she said. “I’ve got to figure this out.”
Once she started dialysis, Carmelle had one goal: to get off of it. She learned all she could about her treatment options and began doing the extensive work required to become eligible for a transplant – medical tests, lab work, dental care, lifestyle adjustments. And she remained focused on her goal. “I was determined not to be on dialysis,” she said.
Being legally blind added to the challenges. At the dialysis center, Carmelle often had to remind staff to speak to her so she’d know what was happening during her treatments. She had a few staff members who supported her, but mostly, she said, she navigated the transplant process alone. Her faith – in both religion and in herself – kept her going.
“That’s always been my mindset: ‘If I can get through this, I can get through that,’” she said.
Even with a demanding three-times-a week treatment schedule, Carmelle didn’t slow down. She kept up her work and her routine, including hosting her weekly radio show. Most Fridays, she would leave her dialysis session and head straight to the studio to record.
It was one of those Fridays in late November 2024, as she wrapped up treatment, that she got the call: A kidney was available. She had just enough time to go record her weekly show before heading to the hospital for the life-changing surgery.
A new chapter
Today, Carmelle is thriving. Her journey hasn’t been easy; it’s taken grit, faith, and an incredible amount of determination. But every obstacle has only made her stronger. Now, no longer tied to a dialysis schedule, she feels free and has more time to do what she loves: help others.
Through her work, her radio show, and now her transplant journey, she’s sharing a message she wishes she’d heard earlier: You’re not alone. Ask questions. Educate yourself. Find support. And most of all, keep going.
“You can do it,” she says. “Just keep moving.”