Mike Blank's Kidney Transplant and Recovery Fund

We are writing to share something very personal that has forever changed our lives. Mike was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) which led to end-stage Renal Kidney Disease (ESKD). In the simplest of terms, Mike's kidneys are no longer able to clean his blood and remove toxins.

In 2019 and 2022 we started working with Northwestern Hospital to determine if Mike was a transplant candidate. He underwent multiple tests over several months. During the process with Northwestern, we reached out and began the qualification process at the University of Wisconsin. Thankfully, they each run various tests that can be shared.

Mike began dialysis treatment in October of 2019, his sessions were three days a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for three and a half hours. In 2021 as the disease continued to progress his time was increased per session due to the declining kidney function. As you can imagine this is a very exhausting and time-consuming process both mentally and physically. In case you may be wondering what dialysis is; dialysis is like your internal organs/blood running a four-hour marathon, everything inside is moving while your body is sitting still. Dialysis is a process that removes the liquid and toxins from his blood.

At first, after dialysis Mike was able to head to work, put in several hours and felt good. Then Covid hit in March of 2020, Mike was encouraged to quarantine due to his system being immune compromised. Here we are at the end of 2022 and Mike is unable to return to work due to a lack of strength and stamina to do his job, not to mention the increased risk of life-treating illness due to being so immune compromised. In the past two years, Mike has missed out on many occasions for family and friends due to not feeling well. Simple things like walking, standing, or tinkering in the garage seem to drain him of all of his energy.

On November 30th, 2022 - Mike received a call from the University of Wisconsin at 4:00 am with life-changing news. A kidney had come available that was a match, the actual call and process to get out the door was a whirlwind of emotions, and the time has finally come. Mike was in surgery by 1:00 pm, so there was very little time to digest what had happened and we were overcome with fear and excitement about what this next chapter meant for Mike.

As you can imagine this process has been physically, emotionally and financially draining on Mike & Tammy. The road to recovery will come with its trials and tribulations, i'd love for us to rally together to help them get through this difficult chapter and move forward with good heath!

I appreciate all of you taking the time to read Mike's story and for your support to Mike & Tammy.