Hello
Meet my hooman Matt Hansen
He saved my life and I'd like to save his. He needs a kidney donation. See this hat with the top missing? I was so excited when he got home I chewed the crown off of it before he even had a chance to wear it.
As his best friend I have 3 jobs, gard the hous, be his "living donor champion" and be a good boi.
Diabetes is a killer
How I got here
My condition is a result of diabetes. When first diagnosed the doctor told me I might have had it for many years without knowing. I never had any symptoms or knowledge that I had it. It’s funny that a condition that never hurt or has little to no symptoms could be so devastating. Whether golfing, fishing or hiking this condition was never an issue. Now being in stage four kidney disease I go to dialysis 3 times a week. Fortunately, after testing and review I was accepted as a good candidate for a kidney transplant. Thank you for reading my story and for your consideration.
How does kidney donation work?
My Path Forward
Update Matt is on hold for acceptance to the University of Colorado’s transplant program.
I’m told that I am a prime candidate for a transplant and with it upwards of 20+ years of normal living! I work every day to support my health by exercising and eating well. Every effort, no matter how small makes a difference for me.
So I am now on the regional list for what are referred to as “deceased kidneys.” These kidneys are hard to get and the wait could be as long as 7 years for my blood type. That’s a really long time.
I am a Type A and can accept a Type A or Type O kidney—but anyone can donate because of the paired donation process. The fastest route to a transplant is to find a willing “Living Donor.” Living Donors can be from someone we know or someone that wants to be altruistic and save a life. Living Donor transplants have a longer life span, and UCHealth transplant unit has one of the top outcomes in the nation.
A voluntary Living Donor transplant, as soon as sometime in 2023, could allow me to get back to full steam ahead.
How you might be able to help
You need to know that my first name is Darwin
I need a healthy kidney. Since people can live a long and healthy life with one kidney, donors like you can provide a kidney with minimal concern.
I have had a tough year but I'm motivated, ready and grateful to anyone that will consider this incredible gift of love, kindness and health.
The process starts with filling out an application here and getting tested to see if there is a match. My insurance pays for any costs to the donor. If the donor lives outside of Denver, there are ways to cover travel costs. For more information about the benefits and services available to you please click here for the National Kidney Foundation.