“You are not only going to be affecting my own life, you will also be affecting the lives of my family and friends around me.”

Malik

In Need of a Kidney Donor

My name is Malik, and I am asking for your help to save my life.

One of my greatest passions is the Long Island Rail Road. I am part of a railfan community where we film trains, and I enjoy helping direct and guide passengers to the correct destinations during their travels. I also have a strong interest in Long Island Rail Road schedules and operations. Trains have always given me a sense of purpose, community, and joy.

I was born with a rare condition called Prune Belly Syndrome, a disorder in which the abdominal muscles do not fully develop before birth. It affects only about 1 in every 30,000 to 40,000 births and occurs most often in boys. This disorder causes kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, UTI’s, and other complications. 

In 2011, my older sister made the incredible sacrifice of donating one of her kidneys to me. Unfortunately, because my antibody levels are very high, my body rejected the transplant, and the kidney eventually failed.

My life now consist of going to dialysis three times a week; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with each treatment lasting three hours and  thirty minutes. On weekends, I volunteer at a railroad museum, and I continue applying for jobs in my community. However, I can only accept work that fits around my dialysis schedule.

The hardest part of waiting for a kidney transplant is missing out on time with my family and friends and not being able to fully participate in everyday life. A successful transplant would give me the chance to spend more time with the people I love, pursue employment without the restrictions of dialysis, continue volunteering, and enjoy the activities that bring me happiness.

I am looking for a living donor. I am asking this of both friends and strangers, because I have no immediate family that is able to donate. 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 most difficult part of waiting for a kidney transplant is living with the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds. I dream of the day when I can leave dialysis behind and begin working full-time with the Long Island Rail Road as a Car Appearance Maintainer or Customer Service Ambassador. A transplant would give me the opportunity to build the future I’ve been working toward and fully pursue my passion.

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

Thank you for considering saving my life.  

With deep gratitude,

Malik