10/26/2025
Six Months Later
You can contact his transplant center directly and register here: https://www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-new-brunswick/treatment-care/transplant-services/kidney-pancreas-transplants/become-a-living-donor/
And for the first time in six months, Dad is the kind of tired he likes to be. This week, he’s tired from working a couple shifts and taking some classes centered on his hobbies. He likes this type of tired.
Since the week he told us about his diagnosis just six months ago, I’ve lost count of Dad’s hospital stays. We knew this would be consuming with dialysis three times a week and getting onto the transplant lists. We didn’t expect sickness after sickness and complication after complication. Thankfully, six months later, he’s finally transitioning to dialysis at home, listed for transplant, and back to doing more of what he loves.
If every extension of love were a flower, we would be in a field that spreads miles. Family, friends, colleagues, students, strangers—heck, even our dogs know we need a little extra love right now—have messaged, called, showed up in our homes, offered financial support, sent medical research, shared their own experiences, and more. Of course, our hearts hope to see people sign up for the transplant screening. And as much as we hope for it, I still can’t put into words the way I feel when someone says “I filled out the screening,” whether they get approved or not. The sheer reality that people would even consider giving of themselves to extend my Dad’s life is inconceivable.
Currently, we don’t have a match. This is the waiting period, during which Dad continues dialysis, and we pray for no more curveballs. In the waiting, Mis Abuelos, Dad, and his children each had a birthday, Jenn took Dad’s new eating regimen seriously and grew a garden bigger than a grocery store, Dad became a Mastor Mason, and he celebrated the accomplishments of loved ones. The waiting weighs heavy, but the waiting is where living continues to take place.
Please continue partnering with us in prayer and sharing this page. To every one of you, thank you.
FAQs
How do I begin my screening as a potential donor?
You can contact his transplant center directly and register here: https://www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-new-brunswick/treatment-care/transplant-services/kidney-pancreas-transplants/become-a-living-donor/
Want to Donate a Kidney?
→ Enter your Personal Information, Contact Information and Preferences, Medical History
→ Select “I have a recipient that I want to donate to”
→ Recipient’s Information: Steven Velasquez
You can also message this page. We will respond as we’re able.
What is the criteria for kidney donation?
18+ years of age
Normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and no cancer within the past 7 years
Smokers are asked to quit smoking for the months preceding surgery
Does my blood type need to match?
While blood-type matches can ease the body’s acceptance of the organ, it is NOT a requirement. Medications can be used to support the transplant.
For Steve, O-Negative is preferred, not required.
What about time missed from work?
Answers vary by employer. More information can be found here.
https://www.kidneyregistry.com/for-donors/kidney-donation-blog/how-long-will-i-be-out-of-work-if-i-donate-a-kidney/
Is donation expensive?
Donors are not charged a dime for their screening, donation surgery, or recovery. The entire process will be covered by the recipient’s insurance.
Don’t I need my kidneys?
Valid question! The body has two and can live a long, healthy life with just one.
BONUS: If you are a live donor and you later wind up needing your own kidney donation, you are automatically moved up the transplant list because of your former-donor status.
What if I’m not a match? Can I still help?
Yes! Pray. Share this page. Talk to people! We need to spread the word.
BONUS: If you want to be a donor, but you’re not a match for Steve, you could do a non-directed donation, meaning your donation will go to another family in need, which (this is wild) earns Steve “points” and moves him further up the recipient list while helping another family! If a whole bunch of us donate, we can keep moving his name up the list!
Why isn’t dialysis sufficient?
A kidney in failure is not able to filter the body’s blood properly. A dialysis machine connects to the body through tubing and filters the blood for the patient. This is not as effective as having a functioning kidney.
Dialysis will hopefully put Dad at his youngest daughter’s college graduation. A deceased donor may give 7-10 years, so he and his wife can celebrate a double-digit anniversary. A living donor, especially a close match, can give us 15-20 years, putting him at his grandson’s high school graduation and beyond.
What are the risks of donation?
Kidney donation is typically performed as a minimally invasive surgery with a 1-3 day hospital stay and 2-6 week recovery. It requires general anesthesia and is sometimes an open surgery. The medical team will advise on recovery to avoid infection.
Additional Resources:
https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up
https://www.kidneyregistry.c
