Right before Christmas, I had the opportunity to meet two great people.  Fapuiaki, a precocious four year old, and Marco, a motivated 20 year old.  I met them both at a local dialysis center.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for four hours, they are hooked up to a dialysis machine. For three years Marco has gone to dialysis at 5:30 am to begin his treatments. “It’s pretty tiring, especially working full time and going to college too,” says Marco. “I’m just hoping to get a transplant soon so I can get back to a more ‘normal life.’”

For Fapuiki’s parents, it has been a life changing event.  What is especially frustrating for Fapuiki’s father is he is not a match to donate a kidney to his daughter. “I thought it would be no problem, since, basically, she is a part of me. As a father, I want to do everything I can to help her get well. This really isn’t a way for anyone to spend their childhood.”

Eight years ago, the Good Samaritan Living Kidney Donor Program was started to help kids like Marco and Fapuiaki. Over 45 people have become living kidney donors thanks to that program.  Now with paired kidney exchanges, living kidney donors can have an even greater impact.

Go to yesutah.org to find out how you can help Fapuiaki and Marco celebrate next Christmas free from dialysis. Please think about becoming a living kidney donor.

Tags: donor registry, Good Samaritan Kidney Donation, kidney donation, kidney transplant, living kidney donation, yes utah

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