Life throws curveballs. Some you see coming, and others blindside you when you least expect it. Three years ago, I found myself facing one of the biggest challenges of my life: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It is a slow, creeping condition that quietly takes its toll until one day, you are sitting in a dialysis chair wondering how you got there. And now, after years of treatment, I need a kidney donor—a living donor—someone willing to step up and give the ultimate gift: the gift of life.

The Journey So Far

For those who do not know me, my name is Don Schmidt. I have spent my life in the publishing industry, helping authors bring their stories to life. But now, I am facing a story of my own that has no clear ending—unless someone out there helps me write the next chapter.

Three years ago, my kidneys could no longer keep up. Dialysis became my new reality. If you have never been through it, imagine being tethered to a machine multiple times a week, watching hours of your life slip away as your blood is filtered just to keep you going. It is exhausting. It is limiting. And it is not a permanent solution.

The best option? A kidney transplant. But the waiting list for a deceased donor can stretch on for years. Time, I do not necessarily have. That is why I am searching for a living donor—someone who is willing and able to make an extraordinary difference.

Why Living Donation Matters

Kidney transplants from living donors have higher success rates and last significantly longer than those from deceased donors. A healthy person can live a full life with just one kidney, and the donation process, while serious, is something many donors describe as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.

But let us talk about the real question: why should you consider donating?

Because you can save a life—my life.

Who Can Donate?

A potential donor does not have to be a blood relative. In fact, most successful transplants today come from people who simply want to help. Here is what it takes:

  • Be in good overall health
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 70
  • Have normal kidney function
  • Be willing to go through a thorough medical evaluation

Even if you are not a direct match, there are paired donation programs that can still make a transplant possible.

What is the Process Like?

If you are even slightly considering becoming a donor, here is how it works:

  1. Initial Screening: This starts with a simple blood test to determine compatibility.
  2. Medical Evaluation: If you are a match, doctors conduct more tests to ensure you are healthy enough for donation.
  3. Surgery & Recovery: The procedure is minimally invasive, and most donors are back to normal activities within weeks.

And here is the part most people do not realize—donors often experience an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. Many say it is the greatest thing they have ever done.

How You Can Help

If you are reading this and thinking, “I wish I could help, but I’m not sure I can,” there are still ways to make a difference:

  1. Spread the Word: Share my story with your network. You never know who might step forward.
  2. Consider Being Tested: Even if you are not a match, you could help someone else in need.
  3. Educate Yourself and Others: Living donation is a remarkable process that is not widely understood. The more people know, the more lives can be saved.

The Big Picture

This is not just about me. Every day, thousands of people are waiting for a kidney transplant, hoping for a second chance at life. By stepping up, you could be the person who changes everything for someone like me.

If you want to learn more about kidney donation or think you might be a match, please reach out. I am happy to talk, answer questions, and share more about the process. This is a big ask, but it is also an incredible opportunity—to give someone more time, more memories, more life.

So, I will end with this: if you have ever wondered what it feels like to be a hero, this is your chance. You can save a life today. You can save my life. And for that, I would be forever grateful.

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