Michael from Glendale, CA

[8x10proofs]

Hi everyone. 

My name is Michael and I am a recovering dialysis patient.

I just had my transplant on August 9, 2017 and found this page thanks to Karol and Jenna Franks.

I began my journey with CKD in 2011 and managed to hold on until August 2015 when I started dialysis.  In August 2016 I was told by my docs that I needed to get transplanted within 2 to 3 years due to 3 heart blockages that they were unable to stent, so in September I started an aggressive donor search.  Thanks to a neighbor's letter writing campaign I managed to get featured on the local news.

http://abc7.com/society/glendale-father-of-2-needs-living-kidney-donor-to-get-life-saving-transplant/1499848/

Within 24 hours of the news story, we got about 20 inquiries, mostly from complete strangers.  I then shared the video on social media and folks shared it dozens of times.  Within 8 months, I found a live donor and 2 months after that, we were heading to surgery.  ABC then came out for a follow up story.

http://abc7.com/health/glendale-man-to-get-life-saving-transplant-thanks-to-distant-relative/2288546/

Recovery has been slow and a bit painful but overall so much better than being on dialysis.  Now that my battle for now is done, I am focusing my energy on helping my friends I left behind at the dialysis clinic find their live donors.  I am also working to help spread the word about how dialysis sucks, literally and figuratively.  I like making shirts to spread the word.

[LoneHighway]

Welcome to the site and for sharing your search and success in finding a donor!

[8x10proofs]

Welcome to the site and for sharing your search and success in finding a donor!

thank you!!!

=)

[Rerun]

Welcome to the site.  I have a shirt that I ordered from this site that says "Duck Fialysis"  I don't wear it but I like to look at it in my closet.  HAHA

So glad you found us!  Good job OKarol!

Welcome - RERUN, Admin.

[8x10proofs]

Welcome to the site.  I have a shirt that I ordered from this site that says "Duck Fialysis"  I don't wear it but I like to look at it in my closet.  HAHA

So glad you found us!  Good job OKarol!

Welcome - RERUN, Admin.

that shirt sounds awesome... hahahah

yes, OKarol and I were following each other on Instagram then she and Jenna came to my room at UCLA during my recovery... such a nice visit...

[Charlie B53]

Welcome to the IHD Family and Congratulations on your successful transplant.

I also have to commend your for your continued assistance in helping others in your Clinic to find Donors for transplant.  Far more donors are needed to get so many more patients to a much better health.

I am looking forward to hearing much more from you in the future.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site Michael

   


Take care, Cas

[8x10proofs]

Welcome to the IHD Family and Congratulations on your successful transplant.

I also have to commend your for your continued assistance in helping others in your Clinic to find Donors for transplant.  Far more donors are needed to get so many more patients to a much better health.

I am looking forward to hearing much more from you in the future.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

aaaahhhh thank you so much...

my journey wouldn't be where it is without others helping me, so i just want to do what i can, while i can...

=)

[8x10proofs]

Welcome to the site Michael

   


Take care, Cas

 

[OldKritter]

congratulations on the new "bean"
Welcome to the site

[iolaire]

Welcome to the group. 

One area I wonder about is if a potential donor gets tested for you and fails a match with you are they offered other transplant recipients that might match?  It seems like it would be good to have a system where you have willing donors to try to retain them should they not be a match...  If thats not setup now it seems like a great project to initiate.

[Simon Dog]

People can 'donate to the list'.

What makes the "kidney voucher" program so good is that such an individual can help a friend or relative later if needed.   Donors already get a s-load of "points" for a solid organ donation.  (No extra points for being a blood or fecal donor)

[8x10proofs]

congratulations on the new "bean"
Welcome to the site

thanks! now if only my potassium levels would come down so i can actually eat beans again... hahaha

[8x10proofs]

Welcome to the group. 

One area I wonder about is if a potential donor gets tested for you and fails a match with you are they offered other transplant recipients that might match?  It seems like it would be good to have a system where you have willing donors to try to retain them should they not be a match...  If thats not setup now it seems like a great project to initiate.

yes, we have paired matching at the transplant center i am with...

the voucher program is awesome too for folks with older aged donors who want to donate sooner than later...

[okarol]

Welcome 8X10PROOFS- glad to see you here. 🙂

[8x10proofs]

Welcome 8X10PROOFS- glad to see you here. 🙂

thank you for telling me about this site!!!