Andrew’s Kidney Donation
Donation protected
Most people have happy kidneys, some have sad kidneys. I’m helping out Melissa, the wife of a friend and mentor. Melissa has been in Stage 5 renal failure for several months. What she has to go through is horrible and I would like to alleviate her dialysis hell. I made this decision in June of 2018 when they went public with their call for a kidney.
Kidney donation involves several steps for both the recipient and donor. Blood must be matched and pass a compatibility test. The donor must be, of course, healthy with no kidney- related complications or diseases. They must pass every stage of the in-depth physical, which includes chest X-rays, EKG, CTA/CTU scans. If you would like to know more about kidney donation, here are some links:
National Kidney Foundation -
https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors
United Network for Organ Sharing -
https://unos.org/
Mid-America Transplant Center -
https:// www.midamericatransplant.org/
The American Kidney Fund -
https://www.kidneyfund.org/
Melissa and Brad have been married for 25 years. They have three children: their son, Cole, and twin daughters, Summer and Sarah. They also have three grandchildren! Melissa has to go to dialysis for up to four hours a day, three days a week. Plus, two hours for transportation. Then, sitting still for the duration while her blood goes through an advanced ”Brita”-type filter...It’s horrible fate. She’s a mother and grandmother. How could I not sign up.
My background story is: I used to participate in Hisorical Medieval Battles, which is a combat reenactment and contact sport. Brad was one of several that introduced me to and trained me in HMB. (No, I am not donating a kidney because I stabbed someone). I am hoping to get back into shape so I can return to the sport one day. I truly enjoyed the rush of adrenaline and catharsis it brought.
It is hard to return to work after you've had an organ popped out of you. So, this GoFundMe Page is set up to help cover my cost of living expenses and lost wages.
I live in the midwest, so fortunately the cost of living is lower than most locations. I am a bargain Samaritan case, which is awesome!! The goal mentioned above is for three months of support, as the roles I fulfill at my current job (Jimmy John’s) can be physically demanding and I will be recovering from plenty of pain. Restocking requires heavy lifting and in-shop sandwich making requires twisting, bending and quick movement. This is why I need at least a three-month recovery period.
I don’t do HMB and I don’t drink alcohol anymore. I plan on returning to the former, but not the latter. When I am not at Jimmy John’s, I work out, meet up with friends and and sculpt with apoxie and clay. Sculpting is a lot of fun and one day I hope to make money from it! Here’s my Instagram, if you are curious. @theskullptingchin (I am not posting this to pump my followers!)
As I am donating a kidney, any amount of donation will help. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg! I am told that I’m a nice guy doing an amazing thing but I would love some help keeping afloat. If the donations exceed my goal, I will donate to the above foundations and other medically-related GoFundMe pages.(not just kidney)
You can see my updates here and occasionally on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Kidney donation involves several steps for both the recipient and donor. Blood must be matched and pass a compatibility test. The donor must be, of course, healthy with no kidney- related complications or diseases. They must pass every stage of the in-depth physical, which includes chest X-rays, EKG, CTA/CTU scans. If you would like to know more about kidney donation, here are some links:
National Kidney Foundation -
https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors
United Network for Organ Sharing -
https://unos.org/
Mid-America Transplant Center -
https:// www.midamericatransplant.org/
The American Kidney Fund -
https://www.kidneyfund.org/
Melissa and Brad have been married for 25 years. They have three children: their son, Cole, and twin daughters, Summer and Sarah. They also have three grandchildren! Melissa has to go to dialysis for up to four hours a day, three days a week. Plus, two hours for transportation. Then, sitting still for the duration while her blood goes through an advanced ”Brita”-type filter...It’s horrible fate. She’s a mother and grandmother. How could I not sign up.
My background story is: I used to participate in Hisorical Medieval Battles, which is a combat reenactment and contact sport. Brad was one of several that introduced me to and trained me in HMB. (No, I am not donating a kidney because I stabbed someone). I am hoping to get back into shape so I can return to the sport one day. I truly enjoyed the rush of adrenaline and catharsis it brought.
It is hard to return to work after you've had an organ popped out of you. So, this GoFundMe Page is set up to help cover my cost of living expenses and lost wages.
I live in the midwest, so fortunately the cost of living is lower than most locations. I am a bargain Samaritan case, which is awesome!! The goal mentioned above is for three months of support, as the roles I fulfill at my current job (Jimmy John’s) can be physically demanding and I will be recovering from plenty of pain. Restocking requires heavy lifting and in-shop sandwich making requires twisting, bending and quick movement. This is why I need at least a three-month recovery period.
I don’t do HMB and I don’t drink alcohol anymore. I plan on returning to the former, but not the latter. When I am not at Jimmy John’s, I work out, meet up with friends and and sculpt with apoxie and clay. Sculpting is a lot of fun and one day I hope to make money from it! Here’s my Instagram, if you are curious. @theskullptingchin (I am not posting this to pump my followers!)
As I am donating a kidney, any amount of donation will help. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg! I am told that I’m a nice guy doing an amazing thing but I would love some help keeping afloat. If the donations exceed my goal, I will donate to the above foundations and other medically-related GoFundMe pages.(not just kidney)
You can see my updates here and occasionally on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Fundraising team (2)
Barbara Boudreau Lanier
Organizer
Clinton, IL
Andrew Lanier
Beneficiary
Patrice Elmore Brotherton
Team member