April 8, 2020:
Dan corrected my mistake in this post from yesterday (See comments at the bottom of the page. Here’s the correct contact information to contact his specific Living Donor nurse:
“…if interested in more specific information on how to help me, the actual number to call is (414)646-0584. That is a direct line to the transplant living donor nurse coordinator.
Thanks for your consideration!“
April 7, 2020:
Yesterday I invited my good friend Daniel Switalski to visit this site and sign up for updates. He responded immediately, then sent me a copy of an open letter he’d selectively sent out in February asking for interested parties to consider being a live kidney donor for him.
With Dan’s permission, I am posting the entire letter here for you to read. If you call the phone number listed, 855.NFK.CARES (855.653.2273), and mention his name, Dan Switalski, you will be directed as to how to proceed.
Dan is one of those friends that, even when you don’t “talk” for a long time, it’s just like you talked yesterday when you finally do. We had a chance to Zoom this morning. It was great seeing him and catching up on a few things. I learned that Dan is a glass blower this morning and that he’s trying to learn to play a guitar. I already knew about his fly fishing (I’ve done that with him). I also learned that we hold different political views. But it doesn’t matter.
Here is a link to Dan’s Facebook page called My Kidney Story. Dan’s letter is shown below in its entirety.
Dan’s Story
Dear Family and Friends,
Some of you may know that I have had Diabetes for over 45 years. Although I’ve tried to do a good job in controlling my diabetes the disease has affected my Kidney function. Over the past several years the kidney disease has gotten worse. Last October I was hospitalized with End State Renal Disease (ESRD) with kidney function at 8%. To keep my kidneys functioning and maintaining my life; I am currently receiving dialysis treatment five times a week at home.
There are two treatment options for Kidney failure, Dialysis Treatment or Kidney Transplant.
Over the past two months Paula and I have been talking with the Transplant Team at St Lukes Hospital. We received confirmation from the Transplant Team that they are now accepting pre-screening calls for live donor transplant on my behalf. This call was an answer to our prayers. As Kidney transplant is the BEST option available to people like me with Kidney failure.
Receiving a Kidney transplant will provide me with a healthier longer life, allowing me to do the things I know God has in store for me.
Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is very difficult. But in sharing this with you and you in turn sharing with others allows a means to get my story out and provide a chance for receiving a transplant.
Understandably some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean. Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:
* You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life
* Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions
* The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks
* The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital will provide extensive information on this
* You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out to your best interest
You can also learn more about living donation on the National Kidney Foundation (FKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation or by contacting the NKF’s free, confidential helpline at 855.NFK.CARES (855.653.2273) or nkfcares2kidney.org. If you want to talk to someone who’s already donated a kidney, NFK can also help.
We may find during the process that you and I are not a match. That’s okay. A kidney paired donation can occur by using a national network of computers to find a transplant recipient that matches your organ, while they have friends or family that may be a match for me.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can also contact my transplant center (Jeffrey Klister, RN, BSN) directly at 414. 646.0584.
I know living donation may not be right for everyone – but you can still help. Consider being an organ donor after death. Also, help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney in the near future and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list.
Thank you again for your time in reading my story. – Dan
Thank you Keith for the shoutout!
Any call to NKF will certainly provide you with more information, which I certainly promote anyone learning about renal disease.
However, if interested in more specific information on how to help me, the actual number to call is (414)646-0584. That is a direct line to the transplant living donor nurse coordinator.
Thanks for your consideration!
I wondered if I had that right or wrong. Thanks for correcting my error.
Wow! You are serving a real need and perhaps helping a friend with your blog!
I have a friend who gave a kidney to a person he had never met. Only after the transplant, he met her. What an amazing gift!