Expenses due to a kidney transplant.

My name is Amber and Brian is my husband. When Brian was 25, he was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) while serving in the Navy. It's a diagnosis he shares with his younger brother and also his late father. Unfortunately his father passed from complications from the disease when Brian was 10 years old. PKD causes multiple cysts to grow in both of his kidneys causing large and painful kidneys, high blood pressure, and eventually kidney failure.  The only cure is a kidney transplant.  

Since his diagnosis 18 years ago, Brian has remained mostly healthy.  He exited the Navy after 10 years of service. Utilizing his training and knowledge from the military, he went to work in the nuclear industry and currently works at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station.  He’s been a wonderful husband for 18 years and a father to 3 beautiful daughters.  This past October he celebrated his 44th birthday.  

Over the past 3 years he has also been facing a steady decline of his kidneys.  He is currently in End Stage Renal Failure.  Due to the growth of the cysts, each kidneys is roughly the size of a football (a healthy kidney is about the size of a computer mouse).  The time has come for a double nephrectomy (removal of the kidneys), which is required before he can receive a transplant.  Once the kidneys are removed, Brian will immediately begin dialysis until the kidney transplant is completed. He is currently on the transplant list. However, the wait time for a cadaver kidney is 5 to 6 years.

First and foremost, we are asking for prayers that Brian is matched with a donor and that he is successfully transplanted soon. In addition, we are asking for financial support to assist with the multiple surgeries that Brian will undergo to prepare for, and hopefully get, a new kidney. These surgeries will require extensive time off for both Brian and myself (his wife), Amber. Finally, we would like to encourage each and every person reading this to register as an organ donor.  

Brian is blood type B+ and unfortunately, no known family members are able to donate.   His current transplant options would be to find a living donor with type B+ or O blood, or to wait for a kidney from a deceased patient. Due to his age, his best chances would be to receive a living donor, as these kidneys tend to last much longer once transplanted.  Further, the wait time for a compatible deceased kidney is 5-6 years. So if you are type B+, O+, or O- blood, and would consider living organ donation, please reach out for more information on what is involved in testing and transplant.

Brian is an incredibly hardworking and loving husband, father, and veteran.  We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this and/or considered supporting us on this journey.

Timeline: Brian has been meeting with doctors and has scheduled his double nephrectomy for January 18th.  We are praying to find a living donor and transplant within the next several months.

Thank you!