Hello friends, neighbors, and fellow book enthusiasts. My name is Don Schmidt, and many of you know me through my years in the publishing world and from my blog, “The Book Kahuna Chronicles.” Today, I am reaching out not with a story of books, but with a story of life, my life, which has taken an unexpected turn due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The Journey to Dialysis

Three years ago, my life was dramatically altered. I was diagnosed with CKD, a condition that gradually led to the failure of my kidneys. The progression was slow but steady, and despite my efforts to manage it through diet and medication, I began dialysis in 2021. The news was devastating. As someone who thrived on being active and engaged in the community, accepting that my days would now be punctuated by dialysis sessions was a bitter pill to swallow.

The Dialysis Routine

Each week, I go through the grueling routine of dialysis three times. Each session lasts for several hours, where I am hooked to a machine that takes over the job my kidneys can no longer perform—filtering and purifying my blood. These sessions are exhausting, leaving me drained and often unable to muster the energy for much else on these days. The rhythm of my life now revolves around this schedule, making it challenging to plan activities, let alone indulge in my passion for books and writing.

The Search for a Kidney Donor

The truth is, while dialysis keeps me alive, it is no substitute for a healthy kidney. A transplant would offer me a chance to reclaim a semblance of normalcy—a chance to wake up without the looming shadow of dialysis dictating how much energy I will have or what I can do. The challenge, however, is finding a kidney donor. It is a race against time and a test of hope.

The Importance of Living Donors

Living kidney donors are heroes who step forward to give a part of themselves to save others. This gift of life can come from a family member, a friend, or even a kind stranger. Many fears associated with donating are based on myths or misinformation. For instance, did you know that a person can live a completely healthy life with just one kidney? Medical advancements make this process safer and the recovery period shorter than ever before.

How to Help

If you have ever considered being a living donor, I encourage you to reach out for more information. It is a serious commitment but consider the impact it could have. It is not just about adding years to someone’s life but adding life to their years. For those interested, getting tested to see if you are a match would be the first step. You can contact my transplant coordinator for more details and to discuss what being a donor entails.

Conclusion

Every day, I wake up hoping today might be the day I find a donor, the day my waiting ends, and a new chapter begins. I am overwhelmed by the support and kindness I have already received, but I still need your help. Whether it is considering becoming a donor or even spreading the word, every little bit helps. With your support, I can look forward to more years of sharing stories and experiences—more years of life.

To those considering this, thank you for thinking about giving the gift of life. It is a profound and beautiful decision. To everyone who supports me in this journey, thank you. Your encouragement means the world.

porter.donorscreen.org