Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out today share my husband Nick’s story with you (www.giftworksuuh.com/nickolast). Nick has been living with kidney disease since he was just 8 years old, when an autoimmune disease attacked his kidneys. Over the years, his kidney function has declined, and as of June 2024, he became eligible for a kidney transplant after his GFR dropped. This news came as a shock to all of us.
Nick is such a strong and courageous person. Even though his health hasn’t been the best, he’s always there for me and our 4-year-old daughter. He’s a wonderful dad, and it breaks my heart to see our daughter talk about “daddy going to the doctor” as though it’s normal. Despite everything, Nick does his best to stay active and keep up with life. He follows every medical protocol, lives a healthy lifestyle, and works hard to support our family. But the reality is, a kidney transplant is his best chance for a healthier, more stable future. It’s something that we are all praying for at this time.
We’ve been incredibly touched by the number of people who have stepped forward to consider becoming Nick’s donor. It’s remarkable how generous people have been. However, while we’re so grateful, a donor has not been confirmed just yet, and the uncertainty is hard. We remain hopeful and will continue to raise awareness about Nick’s story as well as living donation, which offers the best possible outcomes for people like Nick. You may not know this, but kidneys from living donors last longer. Also, with a living donor, Nick can receive the transplant he needs sooner.
It’s not easy to put ourselves out there as a family. We never expected to be in this position, and it’s hard to be vulnerable. But we want to do everything we can to help Nick. If you or anyone you know might be interested in learning more about becoming Nick’s donor, please visit his website at www.giftworksuuh.com/nickolast. There is a short contact form on the site that you can complete. Once you do that (it’s all confidential), a Living Donor Navigator from the GiftWorks’ team will reach out to you within 1 business day to guide you through next steps.
We know this is a tremendous ask and we do not take it lightly! You can also help our family by sharing this post, talking about Nick’s story with those you know, or sharing the link to his website. Every action counts and we are beyond grateful.
Thank you!!
