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Don Schmidt Kidney Fund

Help Don Schmidt Get His Life-Saving Kidney Transplant!

Updates (4)

May 9, 2025

A Great Night at Coors Field, though the weather was lousy...

March 16, 2025

Life throws some curveballs, and for the past few years, I have been taking my swings against Chronic Kidney Disease and dialysis. Three years on the machine, three years of watching my body fight through the exhaustion, the fluid retention, the dietary restrictions, and the sheer grind of it all. But here is the thing: I am not done yet. I have more books to publish, more knowledge to share, and more life to live. That is why I am looking for a living kidney donor.Now, before you scroll past this thinking, “Wow, that’s a big ask,” hear me out. You might not realize it, but being a living donor is one of the most impactful things you could ever do for another human being. And the best part? You do not even have to be a direct match for me. Let us break this down, step by step, so you know exactly what it takes to be my living kidney donor.Blood Type and CompatibilityFirst, let us talk about my blood type. I am A+. That means my ideal donor would be someone with either A or O blood type. However, even if you are not a match, the kidney swap program opens a world of possibilities, and we will get to that shortly.The Testing ProcessIf you are considering stepping up to be a donor, the first step is a series of medical tests to make sure you are in good health and that your kidneys are functioning properly. Here is what that typically involves:Initial Screening – This is usually a questionnaire about your health history to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from donating.Blood Tests – These determine compatibility and overall health.Urine Tests – To assess kidney function and rule out any underlying issues.Imaging Tests – CT scans or MRIs to get a detailed look at your kidneys.Psychological Evaluation – Donating an organ is a big decision, so hospitals ensure that you are mentally prepared for the process.Physical Exam – A full workup to ensure your body can handle the donation process.All these tests are covered by the recipient’s insurance (in this case, mine), so you do not have to worry about any financial burden for being evaluated.The Kidney Swap ProgramOne of the biggest misconceptions about kidney donation is that you have to be an exact match for the person you want to help. But that is not always the case. The kidney swap program, also known as paired kidney exchange, allows people who are not a direct match for their intended recipient to still save a life.Here is how it works:If you are willing to donate a kidney but are not a match for me, the transplant center finds another donor-recipient pair in a similar situation.They arrange a swap, where your kidney goes to someone who matches you, and their donor gives a kidney to me.This chain can even extend to multiple donor-recipient pairs, creating a life-saving domino effect.It is an incredible system that has allowed thousands of people to receive life-saving transplants who otherwise would not have found a match.The Surgery and RecoveryDonating a kidney is a major surgery, but it is also one of the most routine and safest transplant procedures available. Here is what you need to know about the donation process:The surgery itself takes about 3-4 hours, done laparoscopically in most cases (small incisions, minimal scarring).Hospital stay is typically 1-2 days post-surgery.Most donors are back to their normal activities within 4-6 weeks.Your remaining kidney adapts and takes over full function, meaning you can live a completely normal, healthy life with just one kidney.Why Do It?This is the part that is harder to put into words. If you are even considering being a donor, you already have a heart big enough to understand why this matters. It is about giving someone—me, in this case—a second shot at life. No more dialysis. No more watching the clock, waiting for another treatment. A real, tangible future.And if you are worried about your own health, studies have shown that kidney donors live just as long as non-donors. You do not need two kidneys to live a healthy life. But someone like me? I need one good one to get off this machine and back to fully living.How to Start the ProcessIf you are interested in learning more, the best way to start is by contacting a transplant center and filling out a donor screening form. The National Kidney Registry (www.kidneyregistry.org) and the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) are excellent resources to guide you through the process. If you are ready to take that first step for me, I would be incredibly grateful.I know this is a lot to take in. Being a living donor is not something to decide overnight. But if you have ever wanted to make a difference—if you have ever wanted to save a life—this is one of the most profound ways to do it. If you cannot donate, that is okay. Just sharing this message and raising awareness means the world to me.I am in this fight for the long haul. But with your help, I just might win it.

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