Can You Help? Lewiston resident in need of kidney transplant

A Village of Lewiston resident who wishes to remain anonymous recently approached Niagara Frontier Publications with a special request: assistance in locating a suitable donor for a kidney transplant.

The resident, a male in his middle 60s, disclosed he has been encountering the challenges of chronic kidney disease for some time and now finds himself in desperate need of a donor recipient. The male disclosed his blood type is O, meaning the donor must also have O blood type for a suitable match.

According to information from the “Living Donor Kidney Transplant Handbook,” a publication of The Regional Center of Excellence for Transplantation and Kidney Care at ECMC in Buffalo, “Kidneys can be donated by anyone age 18 years or older, whether it be a family member (parent, child sibling, etc.), or someone emotionally attached to the recipient (a spouse, friend, etc.). Strangers or good Samaritans can also donate but must be 21 years or older.”

The handbook continued, “Living donors should be good overall physical and mental health. Some medical conditions could prevent you from being a donor. Medical conditions that may prevent a transplant a living kidney donation may include uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, acute infections, or a psychiatric condition requiring treatment. Since some donor health conditions could harm a transplant recipient it is important that you share all information about your physical and mental health.”

Those interested in possibly assisting this resident are asked to contact him directly at 716-560-4307, or contact ECMC’s transplant office at 716-898-5001, option No. 4, or email [email protected].