Michael Needs a Living Kidney Donor
“If I had a new kidney tomorrow, I could look forward to realizing my goals and dreams.”
Michael’s Story
Hi, I’m Michael. I was diagnosed with kidney disease back in 1986, and my kidneys kept going until 2022 when I had to start dialysis. Dialysis keeps me alive, but it’s like a full-time job. You can’t take sick days or skip it, and it’s exhausting. Dialysis makes life feel anything but free.
My wife, Tracey, is the main person in my life, and we’ve built a wonderful family together. We have four kids, and I’m proud to be a grandpa to 11 amazing grandkids, ages 9 to 23. Spending time with them brings me so much joy, but kidney disease limits what I can do. I’ve always had a strong commitment to serving others. For instance, I enlisted in the military at just 17 and dedicated 9 years to serving my country, finishing my service with an honorable discharge.
I’ve always dreamed of traveling, boating, and camping more after retirement. If I could get a transplant, it would give me the freedom to enjoy those things again. That’s why getting a transplant would be life-changing for me. It’s the chance to truly enjoy my retirement and make new memories with the people I love.
Living donation is the best option because it means I could get the transplant sooner and have a healthier, longer-lasting outcome. If you’ve ever thought about helping someone like me, please consider donating or even just sharing my story with others. Your kindness can make a world of difference. To anyone who might consider being a donor, I want you to know how deeply grateful I’d be. Your generosity would never be taken for granted, and it would give me the freedom to live my life to the fullest again. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Michael 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 Michael'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 Michael's page today! Also, be sure to share Michael's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of his story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Michael find his lifesaving donor.
SHARE NOW!
Process for Stepping Forward For Michael
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.
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?
While the recipient's insurance will provide coverage for the donor's testing and surgery, the donor needs to have their own health insurance in the rare event any unknown health issues come up for the donor.
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.
