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!