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.
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.
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.
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!
While not everyone can give in the way I need, there are still many ways you can help. Sharing this post is one of the most important things you can do. You might know someone who could be moved to help or someone who has the power to spread the word.
I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has shared my story and supported my search for a living donor. A special thank you goes out to those who have stepped forward—it truly means the world to me that you are even considering helping. I was diagnosed with kidney disease back in 1986, and my kidneys worked fine until 2022 when I had to start dialysis. Dialysis keeps me alive, but it’s like a full-time job that never gives me a break—it makes life feel anything but free.