New Challenges, New Hope

I am sorry its been so long since I have written an update.  Things have been rather crazy!  There has been a new development in Kevin's kidney saga.  They found a new kidney tumor and tomorrow he will have - hopefully - a partial nephrectomy and not a full one.  

It is my intention to resume the search for a live donor after the surgery!  His GFR is now down to 7 and he will have to begin dialysis immediately after surgery. 

I feel blessed to be with Kevin now and will be for the next ten days.

Rest in peace, Chloe

As if Kevin's kidney failure and pending surgery weren't enough, they learned last week that their beloved dog Chloe, a 6 year old Golden Retriever, was herself in kidney failure!  It was such a shock.  It just didn't seem possible.  Unfortunately, Chloe died this morning.  There are heavy hearts here today. 

If you are a person of faith, please keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers.  He will need you all now more than ever, to help spread the word, to increase awareness of his plight and to ultimately find a live donor.    

Hanging on to Hope!

 

My brother Kevin has been on the Kidney Transplant waiting list for more than three years.  There have been highs, there have been lows…but we’re hanging on to hope! 

I keep reading about people who have used the internet to find a kidney donor.  Just last week I read about another case – Indiana Man Finds Kidney on Facebook

Last year I started dedicating this blog to the cause - utilizing Blip.fm, Twitter, Café Press, and even created the Kidney for Kevin page on Facebook-I have kept holding on to the hope that someone would read about Kevin’s need and decide to give the gift of life. 

Now I’ve added another tool to my arsenal in hopes of increasing awareness about Kevin.  Many of you Facebook users may be familiar with the “Causes” application on Facebook.  I’ve now added a Kidney for Kevin Cause page!  The Causes application is such a convenient way for members to invite their friends to join the cause!  With each read, comes more hope!

For more information about being a living donor, please visit his transplant center’s website.  If you think you could be a donor, the quickest way to start the process is to fill out the Living Donor Referral Form and faxing it in to the Penn Transplant Center. 

As a cadaver kidney hasn’t become available in over 3 years, Kevin’s best hope is to find a living donor.  I  hold on to the hope that this message will reach the most potential donors. If you cannot be a donor, please join the Facebook Cause and Kidney for Kevin pages and share on your own social media outlets.  The more who read, the more hope there is to hang on to. 

Have a Heart

February is probably best known as the month to celebrate love.

What better time to think of giving the ultimate gift of love – the gift of life!

Have you registered yet to be an organ donor? If only half of all people were registered donors, there wouldn’t be a need for organ waiting lists. Registering couldn’t be any easier.  Just click here and then select “Register Now”.

My brother Kevin has been on the waiting list for a kidney for more than 3 years. As his health declines and with no cadaver kidney available, Kevin’s best hope is to find a live kidney donor. For more information about becoming a live kidney donor, please visit the Penn Transplant Institute’s website.  To begin the process of becoming a donor for Kevin, simply fill out and fax the Living Donor Referral Form.  

If you can’t be a live donor, don’t worry – there are things you can do to help!  Number one – help spread the word by sharing the link to this blog on your own website, blog & social media outlets. 

You can also support the cause by purchasing Gift of Life Kidney donation merchandise! All profit goes directly the live donation effort.

Some people have gotten very creative in finding ways to help! The Sweet Life Bakery in Vineland New Jersey has created a special cupcake for Kidney for Kevin! 
















A delicious Strawberry Rosewater Buttercream delight that looks good enough to eat! If you’re in the Vineland area, stop in at Sweet Life Bakery and ask for a Kidney for Kevin cupcake!

Last fall, several students from my sister-in-law Debbie’s class, joined Kevin in the 2011 Kidney Walk at the Philadelphia Zoo.  Putting their feet behind the cause, they helped raise more than $1,000 for the Kidney Foundation! 



Using another organ – one’s brain – I’m sure you can find many creative ways to help make a difference for Kevin and for all who wait!

There are 90,368 U.S. patients currently waiting for  kidney transplant.

Because of the lack of available donors in the U.S., 4,573 kidney patients died in 2008 while waiting for that life-saving kidney.

Of all U.S. deaths last year, its estimated that 12,000 of them could meet the criteria for organ donation, but less than 1/2 of them become actual organ donors.

Deceased donor organs are matched to recipients by the National Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network. Its computer registry is operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing, located in Richmond, Virginia.

There are 58 organ procurement organizations in the U.S. providing services to 250 transplant centers nationwide.

Transplant recipients are determined by medical urgency, compatibility, body size, blood chemistry. Race is not a factor.

For those on the kidney wait list, transplantation doubles the life expectancy vs. kidney dialysis..

The average waiting time on the deceased Kidney transplant list is 4 years, in some regions - 7 years.

Research has proven that the shorter the wait, the longer the life expectancy. 

My brother Kevin has been on the kidney transplant waiting list OVER 3 years. His kidney function is just 11%, yet he’s been able to avoid having to start dialysis based on the level of toxins in his blood.  

Surviving the Wait 

It is just a matter of time before Kevin will have to begin dialysis.  Typically its recommended when a patient reaches 15% function.

Statistics show that patients have a longer life expectancy, post transplant – if they’ve not had dialysis before the transplant. 

But if dialysis begins, the statistics for survival without a transplant, become more grim.  The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports the dialysis survival rate as follows: 

1 year - Nearly 80%

2 yeas – 64%

5 years – 33%

Only 10 percent of dialysis patients survive 10 years.

However you look at it, Kevin’s running out of time.  As a deceased donor kidney hasn’t been found, his best option is to find a live kidney donor. 

For more information on becoming a live kidney donor, visit the Penn Transplant Institute website.  The fastest way to start the process is to complete the Live Kidney Donor Referral Form & fax to the Penn Transplant Institute.

Take a Life-Saving Step!

 

Kidney disease affects thousands each year in the United States. Did you know that kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death?  There are more than 100 disorders, diseases, and conditions that can lead to progressive destruction of the kidneys.

We have to mobilize to help increase awareness and perhaps even save a life! 

Its personal for me, as my brother Kevin has been on the kidney transplant waiting list for more than 3 years. Now, the best hope for him is to find a live kidney donor.   

Check the website to find a Kidney Walk near you, or to sponsor Kevin and his wife Debbie, as they walk on October 9th! Help make each step count! 

Time Rushes On

Aw, summer!  Its been wonderful here of late!  I’ve been relishing working in my flower garden and enjoying the new pond and waterfall.  It is so therapeutic and relaxing! Its like a day at the spa, right in my own courtyard!

 

I’ve been remiss this summer in keeping up on my blog posts! I’m sorry I’ve not kept everyone up to date!

With regards to Kevin’s need for a donor kidney-nothing has changed there unfortunately.  He still needs a donor kidney!  The amazing thing is that in spite of such low kidney function (10%), the level of toxins in his blood has been at such levels that dialysis hasn’t been necessary.  His doctors are amazed! They assume the fact that he is a runner – must be in part, the reason why his body is tolerating the toxins, in spite of his low function. So keep running Kevin!!  

His need for a new kidney is still critical.  The statistics are quite clear – transplant patients who receive the kidney before the need for dialysis, fare better.  That’s simply the facts. 

And so I am continuing my efforts, utilizing the internet & social media, to help locate that angel who is willing and able to give Kevin the gift of life!  I still believe that person is out here, somewhere. You could help by simply posting this blog’s link on your own social media sites – ie: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your own blog or website. The more people who read this, the more hope it will fall on the right eyes!  It has happened before I know it can happen again!  I won’t give up hope!

To start the living donor process for Kevin, simply fill out the Live Kidney Donor Referral form and fax it to the Penn Transplant Institute in Philadelphia. 

The Search Begins Again

 

It has been quite a tumultuous journey for Kevin and all who love & care for him during this process of finding a live kidney donor.

We’ve been taken to dizzying heights of hope and joy, followed by rapid plunges to the depths of despair.  We’re at one of those low points now, as the transplant planned from the recently approved donor, has been permanently cancelled.  I have no choice but to begin the search again for an angel who is willing and able to offer the gift of life to Kevin.

As long as there is hope that Kevin can be saved, I will continue my search for a live donor!  Wouldn’t you do the same for your loved one? 

If you’d like more information, please visit the Penn Transplant Institute website.  The fastest way to begin the live donor process is to fill out the Live Kidney Donor Referral form and then faxing to the Penn Transplant Institute. 

There are so many angels who have helped along the way, by simply reposting this blog link, by sharing on your websites and Facebook page, by tweeting about it, and by sharing with music on Blip.fm. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!  I need to ask if you could do so again, as its more critical now than ever before, that Kevin receives a new kidney!  Help me keep the hope alive!