
Bryan's Kidney Transplant Fund
Help me save my friend Bryan's life.
He needs a kidney transplant.
He needs to get on the list.
Who is Bryan Denegal? You may not know him. But then you may... He's Bryan, the U.S. veteran who served his country. He's Bryan, the one who collaborated as an assistant director (imdb ) on some of the many TV and feature films you've enjoyed. To myself and to his many friends, he's Bryan (with a "Y", as he loves to say) the grounding force in our lives.
Unfortunately, Bryan has been battling difficult health concerns on many fronts over years—from prostate cancer (which is fortunately in remission for the past six years) to congestive heart failure.
Now, he is fighting for his life with end-stage kidney failure. He goes to dialysis three times a week since 2012. The demand on him is exhausting on so many levels—spiritual, emotional, mental, physical. And now the added stress of financial hardship limiting his health care and numbering his days quickly...
Bryan needs to get on the kidney transplant list at Los Angeles' Cedars Sinai Hospital ASAP.
Typically, the time it takes to get a kidney transplant could be as long as 7 to 8 years. Frustratingly, the hospital staff has refused to put him on the list because Bryan has no family or friends that can provide the necessary recovery care required for the 3 to 10 weeks after such a procedure.
"Only when he has enough funds" will Bryan be put on the transplant list, they say.
He must demonstrate that he has adequate funds to afford the necessary caregivers to assist in his recovery. Any funds he did have have already been spent on prior treatments or are being spent on continuing treatments.
First things first...
He needs to get on the list to begin the process of saving his life.
In order to have adequate funds for the required caregivers, Bryan needs to raise $20,000, assuming there are no complications post-operation.
Should for some reason, a kidney does not become available (as donor matches may be hard to come by), Bryan will appropriate the donated monies toward other inevitable expenses related to his care, like on-going dialysis and, likely, his worsening health conditions (heart failure, etc.) due to failure to receiving a kidney transplant.
I kindly request you search your heart and consider donating what you can. It doesn't have to be much, as if we all work together, we can do more together than alone. From $20 to $50 to $500, whatever you are able would be most appreciated. If any of his TV/film work and service to his country has made you smile at one time, I ask that you demonstrate a token of your appreciation. Whomever you are—on behalf of my friend Bryan— thank you, and God bless you.
P.S. - Whether or not you give right now, would you kindly share this with another generous soul by forwarding them this link?
https://www.gofundme.com/bryfund
Thank you for all your help.
—Ian Shen
Photo: Bryan nowadays.
Photo: Bryan in better days, 10 years ago.