The wrestler in me has always believed I could do anything without help, but this is one problem where I need to reach out to the community around me.
As some of you may already know, I’ve been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. Over time, this has caused serious damage to my kidneys. Through significant lifestyle changes—including a 40-pound weight loss, strict blood pressure management, and a complete overhaul of my diet (thanks to Beth’s cooking)—I’ve been able to slow the disease’s progression. Still, I’m now approaching the point where I’ll need to begin dialysis in the near future.
Unless… and this is the hard part for me, I can find a living kidney donor.
There are two pathways to receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor:
- Direct Donation: This involves someone who is both a compatible blood type and a close enough genetic match (DNA compatibility is important here) donating directly to me.
- Paired Exchange Program: If a willing donor is not a match for me, they can still help by donating to someone else in need. Through a donor exchange, I would then receive a kidney from another donor who is a match for me. This incredible system helps create chains of lifesaving transplants.
I understand what a profound decision this is. But if you—or someone you know—has any interest in becoming a living donor, here are some important facts:
- The surgery is done laparoscopically.
- Most donors spend one night in the hospital and recover fully in about two weeks.
- All medical expenses related to the donation are covered by the recipient’s insurance—there is no cost to the donor.
- You can opt out of the process at any time, with absolutely no pressure or judgment.
Unfortunately, my immediate family has been ruled out from donating for various medical reasons.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in exploring this further, I’m being treated at the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, which has an excellent track record, including a 100% transplant survival rate. You can begin the process by completing a confidential preliminary screening form here:
https://nyulh.donorscreen.org/register/now
You will need to fill out my birthdate, 7/1/62, and that I am a patient at NYU Transplant.
Or reach out directly to NYU by phone or email:
212-263-3621
nyutrlivingdonor@nyulangone.org
If you’d like to speak with someone who has donated a kidney, I’d be happy to connect you with a friend who has been through the process and can share their experience.
Thank you for listening, for reading this, and for being part of my life. Any help you can give, whether it’s considering kidney donation, sharing this note with others, or simply supporting my family during the process, means more than words can express.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact us at Peter@peterneedsakidney.com
or call at 917-275-3994
With heartfelt gratitude,
Peter
