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Kevin Spencer is 56, he is a father, brother, uncle and an all-around amazing human being. Kevin is also a Type 2 Diabetic and is in need of an organ transplant. In fact, He needs multiple organs since his kidneys and pancreas are failing. He was on the Organ Donor Transplant List for four years. He currently receives Dialysis Treatment three times per week. Dialysis is what is keeping him alive.
Kevin was diagnosed with Diabetes when he was 26 years old. At the time of his diagnosis, he was a healthy and robust young man with a promising future in the Dance world. Prior to being diagnosed, he studied Dance at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. He had been dancing and choreographing for a number of years and had finally decided to take a leap of faith and start his own Dance Company, Moazz Jazz Dance Ensemble. Kevin was also a personal fitness trainer and maintained a very hectic schedule teaching fitness classes, dance classes, working with private clients and running has dance company. He was so engrossed in everything that he had going on that he did not pay particular attention to the classic signs of Diabetes. Kevin looked at his unquenchable thirst, unexplained fatigue and night sweats as an annoyance so he disregarded these symptoms thinking they would go away. He ignored the symptoms until they could no longer be ignored. One night, Kevin was found unconscious and unresponsive in his Seattle apartment. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered that he was in a Diabetic Coma. His blood sugar was 950. That was in the winter of 1988 and it was then that he began his 30-year battle with one of the most brutal diseases that exists.
Kevin has been insulin dependent ever since his diagnosis. To say that his body has been ravaged by Diabetes would be an understatement. He has had a number of different health issues that are related to Diabetes. In the past 30 years he has suffered vision loss, chronic dental issues, strokes, heart attack, numerous infections, injuries, surgeries and countless hospitalizations. His latest surgery was last month when doctors amputated one if his toes in an attempt to prevent Gangrene from spreading throughout his entire foot. That surgery has probably been the most challenging issue he has had to face because he has always made a living using his feet.
The irony in all of this is that the man who has dedicated his life to helping other people become the best version of themselves has a body that is systematically shutting down. Kevin just recently experienced another major set-back when he was told that he has been removed from the Donor List because of his amputation. The rationale being that anyone on the list who has had major surgery cannot undergo transplant surgery even if the perfect match becomes available. Apparently, doing so can potentially be fatal for the organ recipient. So, he must begin the lengthy process for getting on the list all over again and once he is placed on the list he must wait another four years before he can have the transplant. Four years may not seem like very long to most of us but it is an eternity for a man whose clock has been ticking for 30 years.
In spite of everything Kevin maintains a positive attitude. He is incredibly strong and courageous. He is quick to smile and to make others laugh. He is as witty, engaging and charismatic as ever. He never meets a stranger and is always willing to take time to listen to a friend or family member in need. He hopes that he will be placed on the donor list soon and that one day it will be his turn. Once Kevin has his transplant surgery he plans to engage in various altruistic endeavors. He wants to continue to pay it forward. He wants to leave a positive legacy for future generations. He also looks forward to the day that he can choreograph and maybe even dance again.
But for now, the person who is always willing to help others needs our help. We are trying to raise money to help pay for Kevin’s medical treatment and living expenses while he waits to be placed on the list again. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated and we will post regular updates so you can follow Kevin’s journey. Let’s come together and support this brave and wonderful man. Thank you in advance.
Kevin was diagnosed with Diabetes when he was 26 years old. At the time of his diagnosis, he was a healthy and robust young man with a promising future in the Dance world. Prior to being diagnosed, he studied Dance at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. He had been dancing and choreographing for a number of years and had finally decided to take a leap of faith and start his own Dance Company, Moazz Jazz Dance Ensemble. Kevin was also a personal fitness trainer and maintained a very hectic schedule teaching fitness classes, dance classes, working with private clients and running has dance company. He was so engrossed in everything that he had going on that he did not pay particular attention to the classic signs of Diabetes. Kevin looked at his unquenchable thirst, unexplained fatigue and night sweats as an annoyance so he disregarded these symptoms thinking they would go away. He ignored the symptoms until they could no longer be ignored. One night, Kevin was found unconscious and unresponsive in his Seattle apartment. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered that he was in a Diabetic Coma. His blood sugar was 950. That was in the winter of 1988 and it was then that he began his 30-year battle with one of the most brutal diseases that exists.
Kevin has been insulin dependent ever since his diagnosis. To say that his body has been ravaged by Diabetes would be an understatement. He has had a number of different health issues that are related to Diabetes. In the past 30 years he has suffered vision loss, chronic dental issues, strokes, heart attack, numerous infections, injuries, surgeries and countless hospitalizations. His latest surgery was last month when doctors amputated one if his toes in an attempt to prevent Gangrene from spreading throughout his entire foot. That surgery has probably been the most challenging issue he has had to face because he has always made a living using his feet.
The irony in all of this is that the man who has dedicated his life to helping other people become the best version of themselves has a body that is systematically shutting down. Kevin just recently experienced another major set-back when he was told that he has been removed from the Donor List because of his amputation. The rationale being that anyone on the list who has had major surgery cannot undergo transplant surgery even if the perfect match becomes available. Apparently, doing so can potentially be fatal for the organ recipient. So, he must begin the lengthy process for getting on the list all over again and once he is placed on the list he must wait another four years before he can have the transplant. Four years may not seem like very long to most of us but it is an eternity for a man whose clock has been ticking for 30 years.
In spite of everything Kevin maintains a positive attitude. He is incredibly strong and courageous. He is quick to smile and to make others laugh. He is as witty, engaging and charismatic as ever. He never meets a stranger and is always willing to take time to listen to a friend or family member in need. He hopes that he will be placed on the donor list soon and that one day it will be his turn. Once Kevin has his transplant surgery he plans to engage in various altruistic endeavors. He wants to continue to pay it forward. He wants to leave a positive legacy for future generations. He also looks forward to the day that he can choreograph and maybe even dance again.
But for now, the person who is always willing to help others needs our help. We are trying to raise money to help pay for Kevin’s medical treatment and living expenses while he waits to be placed on the list again. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated and we will post regular updates so you can follow Kevin’s journey. Let’s come together and support this brave and wonderful man. Thank you in advance.