As I sit down to write this, I want to share a story that has been my reality for the past three years. It’s a story of endurance, hope, and an ongoing search for something as vital as life itself: a kidney. My name is Don Schmidt, and I’m reaching out to you because, after three years on dialysis, I am in need of a living kidney donor. This is not an easy request, nor is it one I make lightly, but it’s a call for help—a call to end the wait that has consumed my life.

My Journey: From Chronic Kidney Disease to Dialysis

I am a 63-year-old man living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The journey has been a long one, marked by the slow realization that my kidneys were not going to recover. There were years of managing symptoms and trying to hold onto my independence, but eventually, the time came when dialysis was the only option left. Three years ago, I started dialysis, and with it came a new routine that has reshaped my life.

Dialysis is a lifeline, and I am grateful for it—but it is also a tether. It ties me to a machine for several hours, multiple times a week. It keeps me alive, but it’s not living. It’s not the life I once knew, nor the life I hope to return to. Every day, I carry the hope that someone, somewhere, will be willing to give me the gift of a kidney—a gift that would mean freedom from the machine, freedom from the exhaustion, and a chance at truly living again.

The Daily Realities of Dialysis

Dialysis is not just a medical procedure; it is a lifestyle. Three days a week, I spend hours connected to a machine that does the work my kidneys no longer can. It’s a grueling process that leaves me drained, both physically and emotionally. The days following treatment are often filled with fatigue, making even simple tasks feel monumental. It’s a cycle of ups and downs, where good days are cherished but rare.

The physical toll is only part of the story. Dialysis has a way of isolating you from the world. The time spent in treatment is time away from family, friends, and the activities that once brought joy. It’s a constant reminder of what I’ve lost and what I’m fighting to regain. Despite all of this, I hold onto hope—hope that there is a match out there, someone who can help end this wait.

Why a Living Donor is Essential

The reality of kidney transplants is that the waiting list is long—far too long for many of us who need a kidney now. The average wait time for a deceased donor kidney can be five to ten years, and for someone in my situation, time is not a luxury I have. A living donor offers the best chance at a successful transplant and a better quality of life. The outcomes are often better, and the wait is significantly shorter.

Finding a living donor is not easy. It requires someone who is not only willing to donate but also a match in terms of blood type and other factors. It’s a big ask—I know that. But it’s also a chance to save a life, to give someone like me the opportunity to experience the simple joys of life once more—to travel, to spend time with loved ones, to wake up each day without the shadow of dialysis hanging over me.

The Emotional Toll and the Need for Community Support

Living with CKD and being on dialysis has tested my resilience in ways I never imagined. There are days when the weight of it all feels unbearable, when the uncertainty of finding a donor looms large. But I’ve learned that I can’t do this alone. I need the support of my community—not just to find a donor, but to keep my spirits up, to remind me that I am not in this fight by myself.

The support I have received so far has been incredible, and it has kept me going. Friends, family, and even strangers have rallied around me, sharing my story and offering words of encouragement. It’s this sense of community that gives me hope—hope that my story will reach the right person, someone who is willing and able to help. I believe in the power of human kindness, and I believe that somewhere out there is the person who can help end my wait.

A Call to Action

So here I am, reaching out to you. Maybe you’re reading this and thinking about what it would mean to be a donor. Maybe you know someone who might be willing to help. Or maybe you’re not in a position to donate, but you can share my story. Every action, no matter how small, brings me closer to finding a match.

Becoming a living donor is a profound act of generosity. It’s not without risks, but it’s also one of the most impactful ways to make a difference in someone’s life. If you’re interested in learning more about what it means to be a donor, I encourage you to reach out—not just for me, but for the many others who are waiting, hoping, and praying for a second chance at life.

If you can’t donate, you can still help. Share my story. Talk about the importance of organ donation. Help spread the word that there are people like me who are waiting, people whose lives could be transformed by the kindness of a stranger. Together, we can end the wait—not just for me, but for so many others who are in need.

Hope for the Future

I often think about what life could be like after a transplant. I think about the things I used to take for granted—going for a walk without feeling exhausted, enjoying a meal without worrying about fluid intake, spending time with friends without having to plan around dialysis. These are the simple pleasures that a new kidney could bring back into my life.

I dream of traveling again, of seeing the places I’ve always wanted to visit. I dream of being able to spend more time with my loved ones, without the constant interruption of medical appointments and treatments. I dream of living a life that is not defined by my illness—a life where I am free to be myself again.

These dreams keep me going. They remind me why I’m fighting, why I’m reaching out, why I’m asking for help. I know that the road ahead is uncertain, but I also know that there is hope. And that hope lies in the generosity of people like you—people who are willing to consider making a difference, to help end the wait for someone in need.

Final Thoughts

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. It’s not easy to put all of this into words, to share the vulnerabilities and challenges that come with living with CKD and being on dialysis. But I share it because I believe in the power of connection, in the power of community, and in the power of hope.

If my story has moved you, if you feel compelled to help, I encourage you to reach out. Whether it’s to learn more about becoming a donor, to share my story with others, or simply to offer words of encouragement, every action makes a difference. Together, we can end the wait. Together, we can bring hope to those who need it most.

Thank you for listening, for caring, and for being part of this journey. The wait has been long, but with your help, I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s end the wait—let’s make hope a reality.