Beaverton man holds sign asking for kidney

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- A Beaverton man tired of waiting, has hit the streets looking for a new kidney.

Earl Martinez, 28, has the genetic kidney disease Alport Syndrome. He's been getting dialysis four hours a day, three times a week for the past 18 months.

He said, it's like a part-time job, so now, Martinez decided to take matters into his own hands.

He decided to stand on the corner of Northwest 185th and Cornell with a sign that says: "Need kidney donor."

"I haven't had anybody stop yet," said Martinez, "They just asked for the card and they haven't really had any questions."

After waiting two years, Martinez recently found out that he'd have to wait even longer for a transplant.

He's been at the spot on and off since Saturday, handing out business cards to anyone interested in helping. His facebook page also now has hundreds of likes.

"It's not crazy at all. It's unique. It's a way to do something, to get out there and actually do something," said Martinez's good friend, Michael Zeuthen.

"It is hard for patients to wait, there's no question," said Mike Seely, Executive Director of Pacific Northwest Transplant.

Seely said he liked the attention this is bringing to the issue, but there are many things to consider.

"Certainly this is a creative, novel idea. The concern there is that it may not be the best way to go about it," said Seely.

He said there is a well-designed system in the United States. Anyone thinking about donating or receiving an organ should first speak to an expert.

All Martinez knows, is that if he gets a kidney, it could mean he gets to watch his three young daughters grow up.

"After I found out that the list was pretty long for a donation, I just knew that I had to think outside the box and reach out to as many people as I could," he said.

For anyone wanting to help, you'll have to have matching blood and tissue types, Seely said.

Plus, in many cases, you have to go through psychological testing to make sure you can mentally handle a transplant.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Beaverton-man-holds-sign-asking-for-kidney-187983151.html