My name is Charlie and I am asking for your help to save my life. I am on the kidney transplant list in Denver, CO.

I have an amazing and loving wife named Marcie. Aside from spending time with our friends and family, Marcie and I thoroughly enjoy cars and other odd and interesting things.  We like to check out flea markets and such to find interesting things - particularly something mechanical that we don't know what it does.  The odder the better.  Our home is filled with antique items such as old phones, books, world maps, gadgets and lots and lots of die cast cars.

 
 I co-own a two man Toyota repair shop which I work at Monday through Friday and, when I am not doing that, I am working on my own odd collection of cars, going to a car show or helping friends with theirs.
  
We have had 8 cattle dogs to date (and currently have 3 - Ginger, Hydee and Hank) because we always adopt those no one else seems to want either because of their age or disease.   
 
I have been on peritoneal dialysis for over 2 years now, 10 hours a day.  I have issues off and on with needing to adjust medications to keep everything in balance as much as possible, however I am currently doing fairly well.  I am hoping to get a kidney before the side effects  of kidney failure and of being on dialysis start causing more serious issues. While I am still able to work thanks to peritoneal dialysis, it does present challenges in that I am often extremely tired.  Further, given I am on fluid restrictions it can be tough to sweat out a day (no air conditioning) while not drinking too many fluids.  I still enjoy what I do despite those challenges.  My customers are very supportive and understanding of my situation. 

My hopes and dreams after my transplant are pretty simple and basic.  First and foremost, as with anyone, I want to continue to be there for Marcie and, of course, our dogs.
 
I want to eat a Freddy's burger.  I want to drink a huge amount of ice water when I am thirsty.  I want to live without a tube coming out of my gut (which can limit my mobility).  I want to go to car shows and cookouts without having to worry about the heat kicking my butt.  I want to enjoy what it was not to have kidney failure.

I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family that are a match. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties. . I am compatible with any Type O blood type. Even if you do not have the same blood type, you can donate as part of a paired exchange program.  

The first step is to contact my transplant center using the information in the box below. The entire process is strictly confidential and medical costs are covered by my insurance.  In addition, the American Transplant Foundation has financial assistance available to cover any lost wages while you donate for those who are eligible after donation.  

To those considering donating, words cannot express the gratitude that anyone would have in these circumstances including myself.  A simple THANK YOU just doesn't cut it.  

However, thank you for considering saving my life.  

With deep gratitude,  

Charlie