Calling all W.H.S. Graduates

Waterford CT

17 July, 2021

9:10 AM

Description

Calling all W.H.S. Graduates, Class of 1980 and Beyond! Those in the Waterford High School, Class of 1980, may well remember Janet Lewis, who was a key member of the Class. Janet could always be counted on to help organize events and to raise funds. Now, Janet needs us to return that willingness to help others. Her husband, Bob Hamilton, is in need of a Kidney Donor. When you read the article he wrote, you will see how modest and self-effacing he is. Please share this request with as many people as you can. There is someone out there who has always thought they would like to donate. We only need to keep searching on behalf of Bob and Janet, who have already "paid it forward". A Kidney Donation would be an act of kindness which will bring you untold rewards in self-satisfaction and knowledge that you have made a difference. As John Bunyan has said, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." "When there is an organ donor, Life springs from Death, Sorrow turns to Hope, And a Terrible Loss becomes a Gift!" A Kidney for Bob The Ask Some of you may know that I have kidney disease caused by taking medication for many years prior to my bone marrow transplant. Over time, my kidney disease has gotten worse causing my kidneys not to work well enough to keep me alive. This is what I am facing now, and my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function. My Story Getting regular dialysis treatments, usually three times a week for four hours at a time, will help my kidneys do their job and keep me alive, but a transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. A transplant would also give me more time to do the things I enjoy most, like spending time with my family and friends camping, boating, hiking, and puttering around the yard. After battling Aplastic Anemia for many years and surviving a bone marrow transplant in 2017; I was hoping to put the medical challenges behind me, but I have another hurdle to overcome. Information Regarding Donation Living Kidney Donation You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life. If you want to explore the option of donating a kidney, please know that you don't have to be a perfect match to me. There is a National Kidney Registry that coordinates a kidney exchange program that allows you to donate on my behalf. The program matches available living kidneys with perfect matches across the country and through the swapping process, I would receive a kidney. https://www.kidneyregistry.org/ Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions. The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks. The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this. You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests. Start the Process Here Thank you for taking the time to read my story. You can contact my transplant center directly at https://bwh.donorscreen.org/register/now to register to donate. I know living donation may not be right for everyone — but you can still help! Consider being an organ donor after death and, help me by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list. Thank you!