Help Bryan get a new kidney!
Family and friends of Bryan Dowdle are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Transplant. Bryan has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.
Bryan was born with kidney failure and not expected to survive. Since he inherited stubborn from both sides of the family, he defied the odds. After 4 years on dialysis and many many surgeries he got his first kidney transplant from his mom. He was 5 years old.
Updates (3)
February 13, 2026
Bryan saw the surgeon two days ago and is set to have his dialysis catheter placed next month. He might not need to use it right away, but we since it will take a few weeks to heal, they want to be ready.
January 6, 2026
Bryan's nephrologist sent in a referral to a surgeon to have a peritoneal dialysis catheter placed. He said that it normally takes about 6 weeks from when he places the referral until they can start dialysis because the catheter needs to heal before they can use it.Peritoneal dialysis is done at home overnight. Fluid goes into a catheter in the abdomen, sits there for a certain amount of time, then the dialysis machine drains the fluid and puts more back in. Bryan was on peritoneal dialysis at home for 4 years when he was a baby before his first transplant. It's easier on the body and there are usually fewer fluid and dietary restrictions.There is a small chance that PD won't work with him since he was on it before and has had abdominal surgery. The fluid they use lightly scars the peritoneum over time and some surgeries open up the peritoneum, so there is scaring when that heals. If he can't have PD, then we are looking at hemo dialysis.It is possible to do hemo dialysis at home, but I really don't think I could handle that, so we would need to take him to Bozeman 3 or so days a week for a few hours.The risk of infection from either type of dialysis is pretty scary. He will continue to take his anti-rejection medication since his transplant is still working enough to get by for now, but anytime there is an opening into the body, there is a risk of infection.We are really hoping to find a living donor, so far only one person has come forward to be tested. If he has to wait on the list, the transplant center said it would be an 8 - 9 year wait.
Photo Galleries (2)
Guestbook
January 21, 2026
Hoping you find a donor soon
Marian Kummer
November 8, 2025
This is my daughter Stephanie's kidney buddy-they've been on the same journey. His mom Shelly Burton Dowdle is amazing-she donated her kidney when he was little that lasted til now. She helped us when Steph was born with kidney disease, then diagnosed with autism like her boys, then again when Steph needed her transplant. https://helphopelive.org/campaign/26391/
Lauren Agoratus
