A Kidney for Karl

Karl is in need of a life-saving kidney transplant. After almost four years of waiting, it's finally going to happen!

Three years ago a dear friend, Chris, courageously decided to donate one of his kidneys to Karl. Being incompatible - or poorly matched - with one another, Karl and Chris were entered into a Kidney Paired Donation program (or Kidney Exchange Program). Kidney Paired Donation is a transplant option for candidates (Karl) who have a living donor who is medically able (Chris), but cannot donate a kidney to their intended candidate because they are incompatible.

Kidney Paired Donation consists of two or more kidney donor/recipient pairs whose blood types are not compatible. The two recipients trade donors so that each recipient can receive a kidney with a compatible blood type. Once all donors and recipients have been tested, the kidney transplant surgeries can be scheduled to occur.

There have been so many tests, check-ups, labs, consultations, and appointments that I've lost track over the years, but it's all working out: the Kidney Paired Donation program has found matches for both Karl and Chris! There are four donors and four recipients involved in this exchange. So, if you think about it, Chris is helping to save four people's lives!

Karl and Chris will go into surgery May 2nd, 2016.

Where medical insurance pays for the actual surgery itself, other expenses are up to us to handle.

We are in need of $4000:  
     --for Chris and his caretaker's transportation to
        Oklahoma City from Tulsa for the surgery
        (remember the trips he made to San Diego to do the
        required testing when we lived out there) and back
        to Tulsa
     --for Chris's follow-up care not covered by insurance
     --for his lost wages while he's donating life to this
        husband and father of two (oooohh... right in the
        feels!)

We are so blessed to have this opportunity in front of us. Please help us make this a reality and a success.

Also, thanks to everyone that donated two years ago when we thought the surgery was going to happen directly between Karl and Chris. All the funds are still here :)