Help Matty with his Kidney Journey

Hello! My name is Matt Sotelo, and I'm a proud Arizonan in need of a kidney transplant. You can read about my journey here. Essentially, due to a combination of genetics and high blood pressure, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at the age of 28-29. I did what I could to change my lifestyle to get the most out of the remaining function of the kidneys. The fact is, I thought I had more time. However, in late 2024, it finally happened. I landed in the hospital for all of December, and eventually got put on dialysis.

It's been a whirlwind thus far. As I worked to get my body used to dialysis, it was still affected by other side effects of CKD. I'll admit, depression and anxiety are doing their best to kick my ass every day and bring me down. But I'm so blessed to have an incredible support network of family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers who go to battle with me through prayers, support, and messages of affirmation.

I never thought I'd be in this position, asking for help at this level. It's a humbling experience, truly.

The Ask.

I'm humbly asking for donations toward the surgery and post-surgery medications for my kidney transplant. I don't have an official match yet, but I'm preparing for the upcoming costs that I will endure. A kidney transplant surgery averages $400k. I'm lucky to have insurance, but my transplant team informed me that out-of-pocket costs still average $25-$30k for most, if not more. After the surgery comes the medications. I'll need a myriad of medications to help my body not reject the new organ. Those, too, are a pretty penny. We're talking $1,500 to $1,800 PER MONTH for the first year post-surgery. Yay, American Healthcare System!

More About Me.

Maybe you're a stranger to me, and you don't want to give to some dude on the internet asking for help. I get it. I'll tell you more about me, so we don't have to be strangers, and hopefully, you feel more confident about where your donation is going. First, I'm 38 years old, and I was born in Phoenix. I'm a military brat, with both my parents serving in the United States Air Force - it's a cute story, I promise. I lost my Mom in 2011, and it still hurts. I'm lucky to have my Dad with me, and he's my best friend. I'm also adopted, and recently met my biological father and his family. They're my bonus family, and that story is awesome too. For the past 15 years, I've worked in the nonprofit industry. My mother always told me that if you're able, helping people is what we should be doing. I'm blessed in my current career to be able to help folks on their leadership journeys. With the help of some incredible, established leaders, I connect participants to our beautiful communities to help make impactful change. I take my role of Nino (godfather) to two amazing girls who will no doubt take over the world. I use my blinker (might be my best trait tbh). I'm a son, a cousin, a big and little brother to my new sisters, a mentor, a therapy client, a proud member of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity (Fall 05, Chi Beta Chapter), and an advocate for education. I like long walks on the beach, even though I don't like the texture of the sand on my feet. I hope that tidbit helps us not be strangers anymore. If you're interested in more of my story, please see the link above for my blog.

Whether you donate or not, I'm just thankful that you visited my page. At the very least, if you could share this and my blog with your network, it would mean the world to me. Thank you again for taking the time to learn about my cause and learn about me. I'm grateful, and I hope something amazing happens to you today.