Why I need a kidney:
Why I need a kidney:
Hi, I'm Michael Buck. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) when I was around 14 years old. My father had it and that's why I have it.
Living with PKD has been a challenging journey, marked by the gradual decline of kidney function. As my kidneys reach a critical stage of failure, I'm in urgent need of a living kidney donor.
PKD is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of cysts on the kidneys, leading to a gradual loss of kidney function over time. Despite managing the symptoms and complications associated with PKD, the progression of the disease has reached a critical point where a kidney transplant is the best option for survival and improved quality of life.
A living kidney donor could provide a life-saving opportunity, bypassing the lengthy waiting list for a deceased donor and offering a quicker recovery time post-transplant. By donating a kidney, you would not only be providing me with a chance for a healthier future but also joining the fight against PKD, raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on individuals and families affected by this disease.
If you're interested in learning more about becoming a living kidney donor and potentially changing someone's life, please consider reaching out. Your generosity could make all the difference in my battle against PKD.
What you can do:
I don't get to choose all outcomes, but if I could choose, I'd want a kidney from a living donor. Even if you decide to not donate a kidney to me, please consider donating to a relative or loved one in need. Every year the transplant waiting list grows and there are not enough living or deceased donors to provide those on the list with another chance at living without dialysis.
Living donor kidney transplants are more successful than deceased donor kidney transplants because of multiple reasons, here's a few:
Living donor matches can be assessed more thoroughly and have a higher long term success rate.
Living transplants has less cold ischaemia time (a cold period with low or restricted blood flow).
Recipient recovery time is much quicker, with the donated kidney producing urine notably faster post operation.