Alclave Needs A Kidney

Hello everyone, it's the Green Derg from the Green Mountain State: Alclave

I wish I had some better news. This is hard for me to write, and this may come as a shock to some, but over the last couple of years I have been struggling with my health and I need your help. 

The short of it, is that I need a Kidney and I need help finding a donor. If you could share this I would be grateful beyond words.

In 2023 I was hospitalized and required emergency surgery. After it was discovered that my kidney function was below the expected range for someone my age. Shortly after I was diagnosed with Stage 3a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and began trying to manage it through diet, exercise, and medication. However things quickly deteriorated. Further testing revealed that the CKD was caused by an autoimmune disorder that targets the kidneys called: IgA nephropathy

Unfortunately we did not catch this fast enough and I entered into Stager 4/5 CKD. Currently there is no cure or treatment options available to me in my current stage. 

After speaking with 3 different nephrologists and 2 transplant teams, they all agreed the only path forward is to receive a kidney from a living or deceased donor. 

I was put through every test imaginable to determine my eligibility and have been listed. This means I could receive an offer for a deceased donor, but due to my blood type being O-, the wait time is 7 to 10 years, which I may not have, even if I start Dialysis. 

The hope is to receive a kidney before I require Dialysis. This would be the best case for someone with IgA due to the risks of infection that can occur with Dialysis. My transplant team has urged me to seek a living donor. Ideally this would be a family member, since the chances of matching would be higher, unfortunately for me, I am the only one in my family that is O- and my family members are ineligible to donate. 

My best chances at a normal life are to receive a Kidney and delay having to be on dialysis for as long as possible. 

The Process is complicated, but it is designed to ensure that everyone that donates/receives a kidney will have the best possible chance at a normal life. 

Eligibility to donate is extremely thorough, and will only be allowed if the transplant team is 1000% sure it will be of no harm to the donor or myself.

When donating, the costs are absorbed by my insurance. Additionally you will be covered for life for any and all complications that are a direct result of donating a Kidney. 

Once the green light is given, a time frame is provided with steps before, during, and after the procedure. 

Recovery time varies, most return to work within 4-6 weeks after donating.

After Donating a Kidney, the remaining kidney will grow slightly larger to compensate so there is no loss in function. 

We do not need to have matching blood types either! There is an entire community of people waiting for a transplant. There is a good chance that while you may not be a match for me you may match with someone that knows a donor that is a match for me. Dartmouth would facilitate the transplant.

Donation is possible no matter where you live as long as it is within the USA. 

I want to stress that there is a ton that goes into determining eligibility, there are programs that assist during and after donation, there is so much information, if you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to click Here

This is a large ask and I hate having to do so. This will be a big decision for any one to make. 

If you do choose to be a donor (for anyone), words would never begin to convey how grateful I am or how amazing your gift would be.

I will be receiving care at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

If you are interested in seeing if we are a match please contact: 

The Living Donor Program 

Lauren.m.ludwig@hitchcock.org // Tel (603)653 3931 // Fax (603) 640 6804

Mention this is for Travis Nagle

I would greatly appreciate it, if  you could share my story in hopes of finding a donor. 

I appreciate you taking the time to read my story, from the bottom of my heart thank you