Ryan Needs a
Living Kidney Donor
“After receiving my transplant, I look forward to living a normal life where I have more energy and am able to participate in more activities without feeling so worn out.”
Ryan’s Story
Hi, I’m Ryan. I have kidney disease, and have been waiting for a transplant. It’s been a tough road, but I’m staying hopeful, because I know that living donation is the best option for me. Getting a transplant from a living donor means I’ll get it faster, and it will work better, too. I dream of having more energy and being able to do all the things I’ve missed out on, like spending time with family and doing the activities I love.
I’m reaching out to ask for your help, whether that’s by donating or sharing my story with others. If you think you can help or know someone who might, please get in touch. Every person who hears my story brings me one step closer to getting a transplant. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you in advance for any support you can offer.
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Ryan 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 Ryan'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 Ryan's page today! Also, be sure to share Ryan's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of his story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Ryan to find his lifesaving donor.
SHARE NOW!
Process for Stepping Forward for Ryan
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.
Share To Help
The Body Is Remarkable
One of the most amazing things I’ve learned about living kidney donation is that you can live a full, healthy life with just one kidney. The human body is truly remarkable—it adapts, compensates, and continues to function beautifully. For someone like me, waiting for a kidney transplant, this is life-changing knowledge. A living donor can give me the ultimate gift: the gift of life, the chance to regain energy, enjoy my family, and live without the constant fatigue that kidney disease brings.
You Could Save Ryan’s Life!
In the U.S., over 100,000 people are currently 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 Ryan, become sicker as time goes on, making the wait even harder.
ThankYou: The Gift of Life
A living donor isn’t just offering an organ—they’re offering a chance for me to live fully again. That’s the ultimate #gift. The thought that someone would be willing to help me in such a selfless way is beyond words. It gives me hope for a better future, a future where I can be more present for my family, do the things I love, and truly enjoy life once more.
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.