Nate Ranke

Steph V Needs A LIVING Kidney DONOR

You Only Need One

UPDATE 11/25/2022: Sad news. After the testing this week, I found out that I'm not able to give Steph (or anyone, ever) a kidney. I feel defeated. The team at Johns Hopkins says the best I can do is to help Steph find someone willing to help, so I am asking for folks to spread the word. Please share our story, and if you are willing to donate, please contact the transplant center Johns Hopkins or your doctor to learn more. Remember that as a donor all costs are paid for by the transplant center. Thank you for supporting us and sharing our story.

UPDATE 11/21/2022: Today I am with the great team at JH Comprehensive Transplant Center who are running lots of tests to see if I'm a good donor candidate. They do such a great job of informing and asking questions, just to make sure the donor (ME) is cared for in every way.

When your wife unexpectedly calls and says, "I've been admitted to the hospital" it will rattle you. News like that is shocking, but then you hear that, because of a rare condition out of her control, her kidney's have failed and she needs a transplant immediately, it is life altering.

Steph is normally strong and independent, and doesn't ask for help with much. In that spirit, she has completely changed her life and is fighting with every tool available. But she needs our help right now. Nothing she can do will recover any kidney function.

She asked me to help, and for a few weeks, I was not ready to face my feelings. Watching her work so hard at doing the right things for her health inspired and strengthened me to write this story.

I am going to call our highly competent team at Johns Hopkins and see if I can give a kidney. Not everyone is eligible, which is why it takes so long to find a good kidney. They tell you all of the options right up front.

Can you find the courage to help? A living donor is our best case scenario, it's completely anonymous, and you can change your mind at any time.

Although a perfect match isn't necessary, the more people who are willing to help, the better chance we have of finding that perfect match before time runs out.

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