I received a diagnosis of kidney disease with deteriorating kidney function in early 2016, but with the help of my doctors I managed the disease for many years. However, after over 5 years of management, the conversation changed: I am now 65, in end stage renal failure and have begun dialysis with the hope of finding a new kidney.

I am a proud father of a little boy and girl (aged 11 and 7 years respectively). My wife and I battled infertility for many years and although she volunteered to be my kidney donor, she is not eligible.

My life revolves around my family and my community. I used to take my kids to school and daily activities, then to the park to play games with them during the weekends. I enjoy reading on the daily. My focus was youth empowerment and rehabilitation and making sure that the young children in the community had all the guidance they needed to become enviable members of the society.

My hobbies are lawn tennis and table tennis. I had just begun to teach my little boy the sport when I first got my renal failure diagnosis. Being on dialysis and the mental fatigue/anxiety of being in end stage renal failure has significantly affected these activities. 

While making the transplant list is great, there is no guarantee that I will be chosen to receive a kidney from a deceased donor.  Many people die while waiting. Living donor transplants generally have better outcomes and can be arranged at a time convenient for both parties.  No waiting and wondering while my body continues to weaken. I hope there is someone out there to give me this invaluable gift of life so I can be here to raise my kids to adulthood.

All medical costs are covered by my insurance. The American Transplant Foundation also covers lost wages for living donors so you won't have to worry about being away from work.

I am blood type O+ and can only receive the transplant from type O+ or O-. If the donor has a different blood type, that also great since paired exchange programs avoids the average 3-5 years waiting period and allow an immediate procedure with another donor.

Thank you in anticipation,

Tajudeen