Tom Needs a Living Kidney Donor
“Donating a kidney is the most selfless thing I can think of. My donor will be an angel that would honestly save my life and give me the ability to live and do for others.”
Tom’s Story
Tom is a hardworking individual who deeply values his close friends and family; particularly his three sons and their spouses. He faces the challenges of PKD, a hereditary kidney disease, which he was diagnosed with in July 2021. Although his three sons wish to donate, the risk of inheriting PKD may prevent them from doing so.
Tom diligently adheres to dialysis appointments and transplant protocols, putting everything on hold until he can regain the freedom he once knew. Despite moments of fatigue, Tom considers himself fortunate and eagerly anticipates the day he can resume his active life.
We Need to Find a Living Donor
Transplant is the best path forward for Tom (dialysis is not a long-term solution and can further jeopardize his health). With a living donor, Tom can get his kidney transplant sooner! Research has shown that when patients receive a kidney from a living donor, the outcome is generally better. Living kidney donation is also ideal because kidneys from living donors last longer than a deceased donor.
Donor Eligibility Requirements
Tom 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 Tom'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 Tom's page today! Also, be sure to share Tom's posts on social media each week to spread awareness of his story. Sharing posts is one of the best ways to help Tom find his lifesaving donor.
Process for Stepping Forward for Tom
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.
Share To Help
Please Help Our Dad Find a Living Kidney Donor! Share This Post!
Our dad, Tom, has been a pillar of strength as a father to me and my brothers. Now, he needs our support. After years of battling kidney disease, he urgently requires a living kidney donor to save his life. The wait for a deceased donor could take too long—time he may not have. Unfortunately, the kidney disease he has is genetic, which means me and my brothers may not be able to donate to him. We know that a living donor is his best hope to continue living a full life and sharing precious moments with our family. Please share his story, and if you or someone you know can help, visit www.giftworksuuh.com/toms. Your support means everything to us!
If you have already stepped forward, but would like additional information, you can set up a time to speak with our dad’s Living Donor Navigator here (she is living kidney donor who has guided hundreds of people considering donation): https://calendly.com/laurie_lee/30min
Tom Needs a Kidney – Share This to Help Him Find One!
Please SHARE – More than 12 years ago, I found out that I had PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), a hereditary kidney disease. Asking for such a profound gift is incredibly difficult, and it has required me to be deeply vulnerable. However, the urgency of my situation leaves me no choice. My kidney disease is progressing, and I am facing constant health challenges. Every day without a transplant brings new struggles. Although I am on the waitlist for a deceased donor kidney, the reality is that there are over 100,000 people on that list, and it could take more than five years for me to receive a kidney. Time is not on my side. If you’re seeing this, please consider sharing my post. Your support in spreading the word can make an enormous difference. If you feel moved to become my lifesaving donor, please complete the contact form on my GiftWorks website: giftworksuuh.com/toms. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your compassion and support.
SHARE to Find Tom’s Living Donor Hero!
More than 12 years ago, we found out that Tom has been living with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), a hereditary kidney disease. Now, he urgently needs a suitable living kidney donor to save his life. Despite the many challenges on this journey, we remain hopeful, thanks to the incredible support from our community.
Could you do me a favor? Please visit Tom’s website and share it: giftworksuuh.com/toms
Thank you for your support! Spreading the word about Tom’s story can help us reach more people and potentially save his life.
Questions & Answers
WAS TOM'S FAMILY TESTED?
Tom’s sons were interested in donating, but the disease Tom has (PKD) is hereditary, which means his sons are all at risk for developing it. In some cases, like Tom’s, the best donor and match is actually someone outside the family. This is why we are sharing his story with as many people as we can.
DO I NEED INSURANCE TO DONATE?
While the recipient's insurance will provide coverage for the donor, the donor needs to have their own health insurance in the rare event an unknown health issues comes up for the donor.
WHAT ABOUT MY EXPENSES?
While the recipient's insurance covers all costs related to the donation (for Tom and his donor), there are expenses like travel, meals, and lost wages that can be incurred. However, we want you to know there are resources available to ensure you do not have to pay for anything out of pocket. The GiftWorks' team can provide more information about those resources if you choose to step forward as a living 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 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 TOM DOES NOT FIND A DONOR?
The ideal outcome is for Tom is to find a living donor. He has already battled so much with his kidney disease that being on the kidney transplant waiting list for 3-5 years is simply not ideal. Long-term dialysis is also not ideal as it can lead to a variety of complications such as low blood pressure, injection site infection, and blood clots.
