Living with kidney disease has forced me to be resilient for a very long time. It’s not just the physical challenges — the endless medical appointments, the exhaustion from dialysis, the daily fight to keep going — it’s the emotional and mental toll, too. There’s a weight that comes with knowing your health depends on something you can’t make happen on your own.
One of the most powerful things I’ve come to understand on this journey is that living kidney donation changes two lives — not just the recipient’s. Yes, I would receive the ultimate gift — the chance to get off dialysis, regain my strength, and spend more time with my wife, kids, and grandkids. But the donor receives something incredibly meaningful, too: a deep sense of purpose.
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. Sadly, many people become even sicker during that wait, making an already tough journey even harder.
That’s why finding a living kidney donor for Michael is so important. Living donation doesn’t just offer a faster path to transplant — it gives patients like Michael the best chance at a healthier, longer life.
Life — it’s what we hold onto, fight for, and dream about. For someone in need of a kidney transplant, life means the chance to regain energy, purpose, and precious time with loved ones.
That chance can come from a living kidney donor. One healthy person has the ability to change everything — to offer someone the opportunity to feel whole again. Living donation is safe, and donors go on to live full, active lives, knowing they’ve helped another person do the same.
Michael is more than a patient — he’s a devoted husband to Tracey, a father to four, and a proud grandfather to 11 amazing grandkids. He’s also a veteran who enlisted in the military at 17 and served our country for nine years. He has always given to others. Now, he needs someone to step forward for him.
I was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1986. In 2022, I started dialysis, and while it keeps me alive, it’s exhausting. I’ve been actively hoping for a living donor because it offers the best chance for a longer, healthier life. But finding someone who is both willing and medically able is incredibly hard. Even when people step forward, many are disqualified during testing due to health concerns or incompatibility. It’s a process that takes time, patience, and hope.
Service has always been a part of who I am. I enlisted in the military at 17 and proudly served our country for nine years. Now, my greatest hope is for the freedom to enjoy retirement — traveling, boating, camping, and making new memories with the people I love.
Living with kidney disease is one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced — but asking for help might be even harder. Putting this out into the world is scary, but I know that the support of others can lead to something life-changing.
I’m advocating for Michael in his search for a living kidney donor. Michael means the world to me, and I’m doing everything I can to help him get the life-saving transplant he so urgently needs. While I can’t donate myself due to medical factors, I am determined to help him find a match.
Your decision to donate could provide immediate relief for someone like me. It’s not just about getting a transplant—it’s about restoring hope and energy, giving people a chance to live life fully again without the overwhelming fatigue that comes with kidney disease. If you share this message, know you might be helping connect with someone who might consider stepping forward to save my life. For that, I thank you!