“The most difficult thing about waiting for a transplant is being a single parent and worry about leaving my daughter alone. The lifesaving gift of a kidney will not be taken lightly. I will take care of myself in the best way possible to ensure I live life to the fullest.”

Christopher

In Need of a Kidney Donor

My name is Christopher, and I am asking for your help to save my life. I have been waiting for a kidney transplant in Wisconsin for two years.

My family is the most important thing to me. I am a proud father to my teenage daughter, Shyanne, who will soon be starting her senior year of high school. I also share my life with my loving girlfriend, Amy, who is an incredible source of strength and encouragement, along with my brother Joe, sister-in-law Jennifer, and two amazing nieces who live nearby. I have worked for my local municipality in the maintenance department for the past 21 years, and I am looking forward to reaching full retirement. I love the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and camping bring me peace and joy. I go to the gym three times a week to stay as strong as I can and care for my health. I also enjoy spending time with friends playing board games, going to bingo, or simply sitting around a fire sharing laughs. My dream is to travel out west and to live long enough to see future grandchildren grow.

Polycystic Kidney Disease runs in my family and has already taken a heavy toll—my father, brother, grandmother, aunts, and cousins have all been affected. Sadly, I lost my father in 2000 to a brain aneurysm linked to PKD, and my mother in 2014. This disease has left me with constant pain, extreme fatigue, water retention, and difficulty breathing due to the size of my kidneys. Simple tasks like bending or standing for long periods are very difficult, and nausea, high blood pressure, and headaches are part of my daily life. The hardest part of waiting is the uncertainty. As a single parent, I worry about not being there for my daughter if something were to happen before I receive a transplant.

I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family who can donate. Several of my relatives also live with PKD, and others have medical conditions that prevent them from being able to donate. My girlfriend has always wanted to help, but is unable due to her own health condition. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties. I am compatible with any O and A blood types.

The most difficult part of waiting for a transplant is not knowing what the future holds. I hope to continue to be there for my daughter, girlfriend, and family. The first step is to contact my transplant center using the information in the box above. The entire process is strictly confidential, and medical costs are covered by my insurance.

Please review existing Living Donor Benefits/Rights to determine which apply to you.

Thank you for considering saving my life.  

With deep gratitude,

Christopher