When my phone rang last week, I recognized the number and answered, “Hey Marco.  How are you?” 

“I’m great,” he responded. 

Sounds like a pretty normal conversation, but there was a lot more in Marco’s answer than just a casual response.  Marco had received a kidney transplant just two weeks earlier and that answer meant the kidney was working, he was recovering from his surgery, and he didn’t have to go to dialysis that morning.  He spent over three years waiting for a kidney, so I can only begin to imagine what this means to him. 

Marco’s kidney came from a very incredible man named Scott.  I’ve heard Scott described as a generous man who is always quietly helping others.  Scott didn’t know Marco, but he did know the need for kidney donation was great, so he made a phone call to Intermountain Donor Services several months ago to inquire about Good Samaritan Kidney Donation.  His decision to donate gave Marco a whole new chance at life.

Marco was interviewed on Fox 13 news this morning about life after transplant.  Scott wanted to be there, but the travel distance and early morning hour made it infeasible.   His daughter has set a goal to double the number of Good Samaritan Kidney Donors this year, so he will be telling people about living kidney donation and the young man he freed from dialysis.

To learn more, log on to www.yesutah.org.

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.

Written by:  Tyler – a fifth grade student

                                     I saw him and could see the tears in his eyes,

                                    My brother Jared, sick and needing a transplant to save his life.

                                    He is suffering, yet such a strong little boy

                                    He has to go through so much,

                                    Still so sweet, even when everything is tough.

                                    He needed just one,

                                    One person, to survive.

                                    That person who needed just one part to provide.

                                    Jared was given that one part, just one

                                    From a person who passed away

                                    To give Jared his freedom.

                                    Now after that event, my brother is free

                                    And knows more things, is as happy as can be.

                                    Of course his is still that little boy that I know,

                                    But he now has the strength to run

                                    Because of love and the power of one.