Matthew Curtin Kidney Disease Journey Medical Cost

I had been debating as to whether I’d create a GoFundMe to ask for help/donations for paying for transportation and costs related to my son’s medical needs due to End Stage Renal Disease and his pressing need for a kidney transplant, but it’s now time. Costs are mounting and are only going to get worse, as Matt’s treatment continues. Matt had been just above the level to avoid dialysis but his kidney disease has progressed to the point where he now needs dialysis. This of course comes with a cost. Please continue to read for Matt’s story and our ongoing search for a living donor.

We are trying to spread the word far and wide. Our beautiful, smart, caring boy needs a kidney. He is active on the deceased organ donor transplant list, but we are also looking for a live donor if possible, as, frankly, live donor kidneys “last” longer. If you are interested in finding out more information if you possibly could be considered to be a live donor, there’s a link with a live donor interest form in the comments.

Matthew is 16 years old and in the 10th grade at Sevier County High School. His favorite subjects are physics, math, and Band. He’s a member of the Sevier County High School’s Smoky Bear Band, and plays the trumpet. Matthew has had End Stage Renal (Kidney) Disease since he was diagnosed with it at the ER at Children’s Hospital in Knoxville when he was 13. Matt’s condition has been managed fairly well with a strict diet and medication, which he has handled with strength and grace. He is the smartest kid I’ve ever known. He goes to school, full time, makes all A’s and B’s and works part time at Anakeesta-Gatlinburg, TN. But he now needs a kidney. Soon. His disease has now progressed such that he will be starting hemodialysis.

We are looking for as many Living Donor candidates as possible, as myself nor my husband are eligible to donate due to severe health conditions, ourselves. Living Donor Candidates must be 18-55 years of age, in general good health, and preferably have a Type A or O blood type. That is only the first specifications for matching. I can provide a link if you are interested in being possibly tested. You do not have to come to Vanderbilt University Medical Center or even Tennessee to be evaluated as a living donor. The bloodwork to see if you match can be done wherever you live. If you do fill out the form, make sure you put Matthew Curtin in the spot where it asks is there a specific patient you’d like to be tested for.

If you see this and would like to be tested to see if you’re a match please reach out to me and I can get you the link for the live donor interest form.

Any help whether financial, spiritual or sharing his story would be so appreciated. Any and all raised funds will be used for transportation costs in getting Matthew to his many appointments, both here and in Nashville and medical care. Once Matthew does have his surgery, we will need to stay in Nashville for 6 weeks, post discharge, in case there are complications with his transplant. Donations will help cover costs related to that as well. This has been such a rough journey… and it’s becoming bumpier, please continue to keep us in your prayers. Thank you for reading so far.