Steven Needs a Living Kidney Donor
“If I had a new kidney, I’d be able to help more around the home and work. Right now I have good days and bad days, and just want to feel better again.”
Steven’s Story
Hi, my name is Steven. These days, life looks a lot different for me than it used to, as I am currently battling kidney disease. I used to love hiking, spending time outdoors, and tackling challenges with my family. Now, I feel like I’m stuck on pause. My health has made it hard to enjoy those simple joys, and it’s even harder knowing I can’t be as much help to my wife as I want to be. She’s had her own health struggles, and I want so badly to support her more. Instead, she’s had to pick up where I can’t, and that’s not fair to her.
Getting a transplant would mean freedom—freedom to live fully again without being tied to a machine to stay alive. I dream of being able to hike, help my wife, and just feel like myself again. If you’ve ever thought about donating or even just sharing my story, it means the world to me. Living donation makes this process faster and safer, and every step you take to spread the word brings me closer to that new chapter. Thank you for giving me hope!
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Steven is extremely lucky to have secured highly qualified medical help and support from the team at the University of Utah Health (UUH). He wants any interested persons to know that they will be in exceptional hands should they decide to step forward. UUH has shared the following as a pre-qualification list for donation:
Must be between the age of 18-69 years old.
Must be healthy and free of major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity (BMI of 37 or less).
Must be mentally and emotionally healthy.
You Can Help Save Steven's Life!
Interested In Donating?
Complete the short contact form and a GiftWorks' Living Donor Navigator will respond within 1 day to guide you through the next steps in the process.
Have Questions About Donating?
Having questions is normal! Complete the short contact form to set up a time to speak with a GiftWorks' Living Donor Navigator; a guide who knows what it's like to donate a kidney because they've donated in the past.
Want To Help In Other Ways?
You can help by sharing Steven's page today! Also, be sure to share Steven's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of his story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Steven find his lifesaving donor.
SHARE NOW!
Process for Stepping Forward for Steven
Fill out the short contact form and a GiftWorks’ Living Donor Navigator will reach out to you within 1 business day to set up a time to connect.
During your time with a GiftWorks’ Living Donor Navigator, you will get to ask questions and receive answers from a living kidney donor. They will tell you more about the process, address non-medical concerns, and connect you to valuable resources.
Breeze is a health questionnaire that will be reviewed by the hospital’s medical team to determine your eligibility for living donation as well as the next steps.
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Fighting for Each Day
Living with kidney disease has tested me in ways I never imagined. It’s not just the physical toll of dialysis and medical appointments—it’s the emotional and mental weight of knowing that my health is out of my control. There have been moments when I’ve missed out on family activities, time with my grandkids, and even the ability to fully contribute at work. Simple things I used to take for granted, like hiking or helping my wife Gina around the house, have become daily challenges.
You can Live a Healthy Life with Just One Kidney
Receiving a kidney from a living donor would change everything for me. It would give me a chance to feel like myself again, to have the energy to be there for my loved ones, and to live without the constant worry of how much longer I can hang on. But it’s not just the recipient who benefits from living donation—it’s the donor too. When someone decides to donate a kidney, they not only save a life but also experience the incredible feeling of knowing they’ve made a difference in a person’s life, someone like me. That’s something truly special.
Saving Steven’s Life
In the U.S., there are currently over 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. The waitlist is long, and it can take years before a deceased donor kidney becomes available. Unfortunately, many people on the list, like Steve, become sicker as time goes on, making the wait even harder.
Questions & Answers
WAS THE FAMILY TESTED TO DONATE?
Although the family is deeply committed to supporting their loved one, they are unable to donate at this time due to various eligibility factors. Many people are surprised to learn that a family member isn’t always the best match. In fact, some of the most successful transplants come from living donors who aren’t related to the recipient. This means anyone with the willingness and ability to donate could be the lifesaving match they’ve been waiting for.
DO I NEED INSURANCE TO DONATE?
You do not need health insurance to be evaluated as a living kidney donor at University of Utah Health, though it is recommended. The recipient’s insurance covers your evaluation, surgery, recovery, and follow-up appointments for the first two years related to the donation. After that, donors are responsible for their own annual physicals, so those without insurance should be prepared to cover that cost. If you donate at a different transplant center, requirements may vary.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
Living kidney donors are often able to return to work within 2 weeks, and fully heal within 6-8 weeks. After surgery, the donor’s remaining kidney will also grow in size and function, allowing them to live normal life with just one kidney.
WHAT ABOUT MY EXPENSES?
While the recipient's insurance covers all costs related to the donation (for recipient and the donor), there are expenses that are related to the actual surgery for the transplant, like travel, meals, and lost wages that you may be reimbursed for. There are financial resources available to ensure you are not paying for anything out of pocket. GiftWorks can provide more information on those resources, if interested.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO DONATE?
The following are pre-qualification requirements for living donation: must be between the age of 18-69 years old, must be healthy and free of major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity (BMI of 37 or less), and must be mentally and emotionally healthy.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A DONOR IS NOT FOUND?
The ideal outcome for kidney patients is to find a living donor. Patients have already battled so much with their kidney disease that being on the kidney transplant waiting list for 3-5 years is simply not ideal. Long-term dialysis is not ideal as it can lead to a variety of complications such as low blood pressure (which causes dizziness), blood clots, cardiovascular disease, and serious infection.