09/20/2022
Dear family and friends,
I have end stage renal failure (kidney disease). My kidneys are no longer functioning and I have been in dialysis three times per week for 4-5 hours per visit for the last three years. I am writing to let you know of my medical situation because I need your help. My doctor and kidney team has told me that while dialysis will help me in the interim, a kidney transplant is the best medical treatment. The waiting time for a deceased donor kidney can take many years as there are over 110,000 kidney patients waiting on this list. I have been advised to try to find someone who may be willing to donate a kidney to me. I am creating this social media campaign with the hopes that someone may find it in their heart to consider being tested.
Kidney disease impacts every area of my life. Kidney failure causes a loss of energy and a lot of physical and mental fatigue. There are some mornings I can barely get out of bed. I’m not able to drink lots of fluids and often don’t feel well enough to socialize with family and friends and the activities that I enjoy. After coming home from dialysis, I come home to sleep and try to recuperate the best I can. I have very little energy to even walk down the road. My blood pressure goes up and down and some days I can only stand on my feet for small amounts of time due to dizziness. I have also developed anemia, which means I am low in red blood cells. My understanding is that a successful kidney transplant will improve and relieve many of my symptoms and eventually allow me to return to a normal way of life again. I’ll be able to get back to work, which I am missing very much. I’ll also be able to exercise and have energy in the morning to wake up and face the day ahead without having to worry about how I’m going to get through it.
I’ve learned that it's possible for kidney donors to live a normal and healthy life with just one kidney. Donors are carefully and medically screened to make sure it is safe for them to donate. The transplant team makes the donor‘s health and well-being a priority. I was also interested to learn donors don’t have to be a relative or be an exact blood match in order to donate.
I understand this is an extremely personal decision and there is a lot to think about. If you would like to gather more information and explore kidney donation further, feel free to contact the donor nurse coordinator at Duke Hospital, where my procedure will be taking place:
Duke Health
Tel: 919-613-7777
Tel: 800-249-5864
You can also check out the Duke Hospital website where they have lots of information on the donation and transplant process.
Duke Transplant Center
Living Donor Program
www.duke health.org/treatments/transplant-program/kidney-donation
By exploring donation, I want to assure you it is not a commitment to becoming a donor and you can always make the choice to back away from the process at any point. You can also explore a donation confidentially or I’d be happy to chat with you about it as well.
Thank you for your ongoing support and consideration.
Cedric
