Give the Gift of Life

My kidney journey and the road forward

In 2012, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a rare genetic condition. I've taken great care of myself since then, realizing that keeping up with my health is more important for me than for most, and have extended the expected life of my kidneys by years as a result. Despite all that work, though, I was finally diagnosed with renal failure in 2025 and have been added to the infamous kidney transplant list. Sadly, that’s an inevitability for 50% of people with my genetic mutation, no matter how good our overall health is. There is only one drug-based treatment for PKD and it only delays the inevitable. I was on that medication, but am no longer eligible due to low kidney function.

So, I'm seeking a living donor. I would be eternally grateful if you or someone you know is willing to get tested to find out if you are a match. The wait for a cadaver kidney can be as long as 7 years, over which time I will be on dialysis. Sadly, dialysis patients do not often survive beyond five years on that treatment. The treatment itself is grueling, consuming dozens of hours a week, and causes many folks to lose their jobs due to lack of mobility, energy, and ability to work. And, as thankful as I would be for a cadaver kidney, those have extremely short lifespans compared to kidneys that come from living donors. A cadaver kidney would probably mean another transplant in less than a decade after the first. So far, no one in my family who has offered a kidney is eligible. So you see my dilemma.

As someone who, prior to my diagnosis, never gave much thought to organ donation, I understand that the prospect is profoundly scary. It’s an important part of your body, after all. I don’t expect very many people to jump at the chance to give one away. However, anyone can help spread the word. Also, I have learned a lot about organ donation over the last 13 years, and I think I can help to alleviate some of those fears. For example, donating a kidney does not shorten a person's life and the overwhelming majority of donors go on to live 100% normal lives. Also, the cost of the evaluation and surgery for the donor is covered by the recipient's insurance. And finally, donors have a lot of legal protections preventing their discrimination. So please, help me stick around to teach and mentor more college students, to see my children graduate college and have families of their own, and to keep my wife from suffering without my friendship, emotional support, and income. Spread the word by sharing this webpage, suggesting your friends and family follow me on Instagram, and/or donating to my GoFundMe.