A Kidney for Jose Antonio

A Kidney for Jose Antonio

I write to you today with a heavy heart but also with a glimmer of hope. My husband, who some may know as Jose and others as Antonio, has been living with a hereditary severe renal (kidney) disease, which claimed the life of his father 3 years ago. This condition has slowly but steadily taken a toll on his health and well-being. With a GFR of 11% (function of kidney), we have come to the heartbreaking realization that he now urgently needs a kidney transplant to survive and regain his quality of life. While dialysis is a treatment option that will buy him time, it’s not a long-term solution. Dialysis requires multiple sessions each week, often lasting several hours at a time, and it takes an immense physical and emotional toll on his body. The fatigue, the discomfort, and the limitations on his daily life make it a constant challenge. Dialysis can keep him alive temporarily, but it is not a cure—and it’s not the life he deserves. It’s a painful, draining process, and he deserves a chance to reclaim the life he once lived without extreme limitations, to have more energy, and to live without the constant strain of this treatment.

As a wife, it is one of the most painful things to watch someone you love struggle in such a profound way. My husband is not just a wonderful partner; he is a loving father to three amazing children, a friend to many, and a person with a kind and generous spirit. His strength and resilience have inspired everyone around him, but now, we need the help of others in a way we never anticipated.

We are reaching out to the public in hopes of finding a living kidney donor. We know that asking for such a significant gift is not easy, but we believe in the power of community and compassion. A living donor transplant can dramatically improve my husband’s chances for a full and healthy life.

We understand that not everyone will be able to donate, but we are also asking for your help in spreading the word. Whether you are able to help directly or by sharing this message with others, every action counts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading this and for any support you can offer, whether through prayer, donation, or sharing this plea with your networks. With your help, we are hopeful that we can give my husband the chance to continue living the life he loves.

Details for Kidney Donation

Who can donate? Healthy individuals, between the ages of 18 and 65. Blood type does not matter.

Who should I contact? If you are interested in learning more or would like to begin the donor evaluation process, please contact UPMC Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at [phone redacted] or online at https://livingdonorreg.upmc.com. Tell them you are interested in donating to Jose Rivas. You can also reach out to me directly at [phone redacted].

GoFundMe Donations

We are setting up this GoFundMe to support Jose’s road to recovery! Your donations will help with medical bills, rehabilitation, medical equipment, medications, transplant financial responsibility, and living expenses.

The immense support we have received from everyone has been a beacon of light and hope. For that, we are forever grateful! If anyone has additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sera Rivas