There is something deeply humbling about asking for help, especially when the stakes are as high as your own survival. It is not something that comes naturally to most people, myself included. I have always been a fiercely independent person, priding myself on my career, my expertise in publishing, and my ability to navigate life’s difficulties. But, as life has shown me, there are times when independence gives way to necessity, and necessity leads you to ask the world for compassion.

Today, I am asking for something monumental: I need a kidney. And I need you to consider being the one to give it.

A Life on Dialysis: The Unseen Struggle

It has been three years since I started dialysis, and to say that it has been a tough road would be an understatement. If you are unfamiliar with dialysis, let me paint a picture for you: Imagine being tethered to a machine for hours, multiple times a week, as it cleans your blood—something your kidneys are supposed to do naturally. Now imagine that this machine is not a cure, but a treatment that merely keeps you alive. It is like trying to keep a car running by pushing it everywhere instead of letting the engine work.

The irony is that the very thing keeping me alive is also the thing that drains the life out of me. Each dialysis session is physically exhausting, mentally draining, and emotionally taxing. But the most difficult part is the knowledge that this is not living—this is surviving. It is waiting for something better, waiting for a miracle.

That miracle is a kidney transplant.

The Reality of Kidney Transplants

When I was first diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), I had no idea what the road ahead looked like. I thought I could manage it with diet, medication, and regular check-ups. But as the disease progressed, my kidneys lost their ability to function, and I was placed on the transplant list.

Here is the kicker: being on the transplant list does not guarantee you a kidney. In fact, the average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor is anywhere from three to five years, and in some regions, it can be even longer. I have already been on dialysis for three years, and every day that goes by feels like another step closer to a point where my body may no longer be strong enough to endure the transplant surgery when the call finally comes.

That is why I am turning to the concept of living donation.

What Is Living Kidney Donation?

Living kidney donation is when a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to someone in need. It is an extraordinary act of kindness, and unbelievably, it is more common than you might think. The human body only needs one kidney to function, which means that most people can live a perfectly healthy life with just one kidney.

For someone like me, receiving a kidney from a living donor means a better match, a shorter waiting period, and often a better long-term outcome. It is not just a second chance at life; it is a chance at a life that is not dictated by the rhythms of a dialysis machine. It is freedom.

Why I am Asking You for Help

I know this is no small request. Asking someone to consider donating a kidney is huge. It is life-altering—for both the recipient and the donor. But when you are faced with the reality of needing a transplant, you realize that sometimes, life asks us to be bold, to take risks, and to have faith in the kindness of others.

You might be wondering, “Why should I consider donating to you, Don? I don’t even know you.” And that is a fair question. Let me tell you a little about myself, beyond my health struggles.

I have spent over three decades in the publishing industry, helping authors bring their visions to life, working behind the scenes to make sure their books are the best they can be. It has been a rewarding career, one that has allowed me to touch countless lives through the stories and knowledge that make it onto the printed page. But now, I find myself needing a different kind of help.

I am an uncle, a friend, a colleague, and, like many of you, someone who has dreams that are on hold while I navigate this health crisis. I am asking you to consider helping me because I believe in the goodness of people. There are individuals out there who want to make a profound impact on someone’s life, and maybe—just maybe—you are one of those people.

What It Means to Be a Living Donor

Let us talk about the logistics of being a living donor, because I want you to fully understand what this entails. Donating a kidney is a major surgery, but medical advancements have made the procedure safer and the recovery time shorter than ever before. Most living kidney donors are out of the hospital in just a few days, and they can return to their normal activities within a few weeks.

There are tests and evaluations to ensure that a donor is healthy enough to donate, and you will be given plenty of support throughout the process. Most importantly, donors do not face a reduced lifespan or significant long-term health issues. In fact, many donors say that the emotional and psychological benefits of knowing they have saved a life far outweigh the temporary discomfort of surgery.

Still, it is important to go into this with your eyes wide open. Living donation is a serious decision, and it is not one that should be taken lightly. But it is also a decision that has the power to change lives—in ways that words cannot even begin to describe.

The Need for Donors Is Urgent

Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list. More than 90,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney right now. And the harsh reality is that not all of them will make it to the day they receive a transplant.

The need for kidney donors is urgent, and living donors provide a crucial lifeline. For someone like me, who has been on dialysis for three years, the clock is ticking. Every day that passes without a transplant is another day my body endures the strain of a treatment that, while life-sustaining, is not life-giving.

How You Can Help

If you are considering becoming a living kidney donor, the first step is to educate yourself. Research the process, talk to healthcare professionals, and if possible, reach out to others who have been donors. The more informed you are, the more confident you will feel in making this decision.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of donating to me specifically, there are resources available to help you navigate the process. My medical team is ready to answer any questions and guide potential donors through every step of the way.

Here is what I can promise you: I will be forever grateful for your consideration. Whether you decide to donate or simply spread the word about living donation, you are helping to save lives. Maybe you will even save mine.

A Final Plea

As I sit here writing this, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of what I am asking. I am asking for more than a gift—I am asking for a future, for the chance to live without the constant burden of dialysis, for the chance to be there for my loved ones in a way that I cannot be right now.

I am asking for hope.

If you have ever wondered what it feels like to be a hero, this is your chance. Becoming a living kidney donor is one of the most profound acts of kindness you can ever offer. You are not just giving someone another day—you are giving them a lifetime of tomorrows.

So, if you have made it this far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope my story has given you insight into what it means to live with kidney disease, and what it means to have the chance to overcome it through the selflessness of another.

Please, consider answering my plea. Become a living kidney donor. Whether it is for me or someone else, your gift could be the one that saves a life.

Thank you.

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