If donating a life-saving kidney to Michael is something you or anyone you know can do, please fill out the online Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) application form here.
OUR STORY
Dear friends, family, and living donors,
Some of you may know that my husband, Michael, has kidney disease.
He lost a kidney 18 years ago due to a negligent doctor and has been living with one kidney since then.
In that time, the disease has worsened and put massive strain on his remaining kidney, which is now in late stage failure.
Ongoing dialysis treatments, which usually take four hours, three times a week, will help his remaining kidney do its job and keep him alive, but severely limit his quality of life because of the time and scheduling it requires.
A transplant would give Michael the chance to live a longer, healthier, more normal life.
He’s always been active and otherwise healthy, and is devoted to me and everyone in his circle of friends, family, and even strangers.
Michael gives back to his community by caregiving to the elderly and by mentoring to disadvantaged people who need a second chance at life.
He champions the needs of the underdog without expectations of anything in return, because he’s a loyal, loving man who would share anything he had with someone who was suffering.
The most devastating news I’ve had in my life—worse than the deaths of my parents and the numerous miscarriages I’ve had—is that I am not a qualified donor candidate.
Michael and I just celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary; we weren’t blessed with children, but we have each other, and it’s my sole focus to find a living donor so we can celebrate twice that and even beyond.
Being on a transplant list for a deceased donor kidney can take an average of five years, and many patients don’t even survive long enough before a kidney is found.
Finding a living donor will not only give Michael a longer-lasting, better functioning kidney, it will shorten the waiting period significantly.
It’s not like us to ask friends, family, or strangers for favors. We normally do for ourselves, but now we’re in dire need of help.
Of course we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and healing vibes, but if you can't be a donor, please help us find one.
According to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org/livingdonation, 855.653.2273, nkfcares@kidney.org):
We know that a living donation is a huge ask and that you might not be able to participate physically.
However, you could still help by sharing our request with everyone you know and asking them to spread the word and ask their circles to do so too.
You can forward this web address for their convenience: www.akidneyformichael.com
We only need one kidney—from a loved one or a stranger—to save Michael's life.
Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts,
Shelley and Michael
OUR STORY
Dear friends, family, and living donors,
Some of you may know that my husband, Michael, has kidney disease.
He lost a kidney 18 years ago due to a negligent doctor and has been living with one kidney since then.
In that time, the disease has worsened and put massive strain on his remaining kidney, which is now in late stage failure.
Ongoing dialysis treatments, which usually take four hours, three times a week, will help his remaining kidney do its job and keep him alive, but severely limit his quality of life because of the time and scheduling it requires.
A transplant would give Michael the chance to live a longer, healthier, more normal life.
He’s always been active and otherwise healthy, and is devoted to me and everyone in his circle of friends, family, and even strangers.
Michael gives back to his community by caregiving to the elderly and by mentoring to disadvantaged people who need a second chance at life.
He champions the needs of the underdog without expectations of anything in return, because he’s a loyal, loving man who would share anything he had with someone who was suffering.
The most devastating news I’ve had in my life—worse than the deaths of my parents and the numerous miscarriages I’ve had—is that I am not a qualified donor candidate.
Michael and I just celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary; we weren’t blessed with children, but we have each other, and it’s my sole focus to find a living donor so we can celebrate twice that and even beyond.
Being on a transplant list for a deceased donor kidney can take an average of five years, and many patients don’t even survive long enough before a kidney is found.
Finding a living donor will not only give Michael a longer-lasting, better functioning kidney, it will shorten the waiting period significantly.
It’s not like us to ask friends, family, or strangers for favors. We normally do for ourselves, but now we’re in dire need of help.
Of course we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and healing vibes, but if you can't be a donor, please help us find one.
According to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org/livingdonation, 855.653.2273, nkfcares@kidney.org):
- You only need one kidney to live a long, healthy life.
- Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, via a series of tiny incisions.
- The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally about two weeks.
- The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by the recipient's insurance. The transplantation hospital can give you extensive information on this.
- There are donor assistance programs that will cover lost wages, etc., during the time you’re involved in the donor process.
- You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for your best interests.
- The NKF can connect you with living donors who can share their experiences.
We know that a living donation is a huge ask and that you might not be able to participate physically.
However, you could still help by sharing our request with everyone you know and asking them to spread the word and ask their circles to do so too.
You can forward this web address for their convenience: www.akidneyformichael.com
We only need one kidney—from a loved one or a stranger—to save Michael's life.
Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts,
Shelley and Michael