Living with polycystic kidney disease has been a journey that has tested me in ways I could never have imagined. Kidney disease is not just a physical challenge—it affects every part of life. There have been days when I felt too tired or unwell to be the husband I want to be, to help Cheryl with chores, or to fully engage at work. I’ve missed family outings, vacations, and moments that most people take for granted. Yet despite all of this, I’ve learned to be resilient.
One of the most amazing benefits of living kidney donation is that it can give recipients like me a longer life. Knowing that receiving a kidney from a living donor often leads to better long-term outcomes gives me hope every day. For someone living with polycystic kidney disease, the possibility of a healthier future is life-changing. A living donor kidney typically works faster, lasts longer, and gives recipients a stronger recovery. That means more time with the people you love, more energy to enjoy life, and a chance to do things that might not have been possible before.
That’s why finding a living kidney donor for Ken is so important. Living donation not only offers a faster path to transplant, but it also leads to better long-term outcomes for patients. The ability to receive a kidney from a living donor often means a stronger recovery, fewer complications, and a renewed lease on life.
A living donor gets to do something truly remarkable – save a life!
For years, I’ve been living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and while it’s been tough, I’ve never lost sight of my hope for a better future. What makes a living kidney donation so #incredible is the way it can change everything. It’s not just about getting a transplant—it’s about receiving a gift so profound that it comes from someone willing to give a part of themselves to save another person’s life. It’s a selfless act of love, compassion, and generosity that can’t be measured in words.
It’s never easy to ask for help, especially when the request is so deeply personal. Ken has been battling polycystic kidney disease (PKD) for many years, facing the daily challenges this illness brings—fatigue, uncertainty, and the weight of a future that depends on finding a living kidney donor. Currently, Ken is one of over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant. It can take years to find a match, and while he waits, I worry that his health may continue to decline. But despite all the hurdles Ken has faced, the one thing that remains unwavering is his hope for a better future. I’m hopeful, too.
Living kidney donation is also incredibly safe. Thousands of people each year choose to donate a kidney and go on to live long, healthy lives. In fact, many living donors say they would donate again if they could.
My biggest hope after a transplant is simple: to have the strength and energy to truly live again. To travel with my wife, to work again, to experience the life we’ve dreamed of but had to put on hold. A living donor could make that possible.
Waiting for a kidney transplant is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to face. Every day, I deal with the uncertainty and the physical toll of living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The exhaustion, nausea, and swelling are constant reminders of how much my health has declined. It’s hard to watch life go on while feeling like I’m just barely keeping up. I know there are many things beyond my control in this process, and it’s tough to wait for something that could change my life.
Ken is a wonderful person who has faced countless challenges with unwavering strength and a positive attitude. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) at the age of 34, Ken has worked hard to manage his health, despite the daily toll the disease takes on his energy and well-being. He is typically exhausted, battling nausea, low energy, and swelling, which makes even the simplest tasks, like helping his wife Cheryl with chores, more difficult. Despite these struggles, Ken remains optimistic about the future.
As someone waiting for a kidney transplant, I’ve learned a lot about the process—and one of the things that stands out the most is how quick living donor surgery can be. A living kidney donation involves a minimally invasive procedure, which typically takes about 2 to 3 hours. The recovery time for donors is also relatively short, with most people returning to non-strenuous work within 2 weeks.