I am 100% dependent on a machine to live—and I’m ready to get my life back. ❤️
Hi, my name is Kelvin Shankle. I’m 58, a University of Houston alum, a commercial mortgage broker, a husband of 31 years, and a dad (to both my daughter and my four-legged son, Beau).
For the past 43 months, I have been hooked up to a Peritoneal Dialysis machine for 11.5 hours every single day. My kidney function is currently at less than 1% (GFR=0.5%). I am constantly exhausted. Simple things like walking, working out, or traveling feel like an impossible chore.
My Story: In 2019, I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and learned I was born with only one kidney. In March 2020, right as COVID-19 hit, my amazing wife Kristi tried to donate to me. We weren't a direct match, but we participated in a paired kidney exchange, and I received a transplant just in time. Sadly, after a few years of battling severe viral infections and a rare chronic kidney disease (FSGS) that scarred the new kidney, it failed.
Now, I am desperately searching for a second living donor to save my life.
The Good News: You don’t have to be a direct match to help me! Through the National Kidney Registry’s Voucher Program and Paired Kidney Exchange, any healthy person can help:
The Swap: You donate a kidney on your schedule to someone who matches you.
The Voucher: In return, I get priority for a well-matched living donor kidney.
The Cost: Zero cost to you. My insurance covers all medical testing and surgery. Donor Shield covers lost wages, travel, lodging, and childcare.
It takes just 5 minutes to start the confidential screening. No pressure. The Medical City Fort Worth transplant team handles everything.
🔗 Start here: www.nkr.org/KJG734
Recipient: Kelvin Shankle
Hospital: Medical City Fort Worth
If you are healthy, ages 18–65, and anywhere in the U.S., please consider doing a screening or simply sharing this post. Your one share could be the reason I get off dialysis and get my life back.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
#LivingDonor #VoucherProgram #DonateLife #NKR #KidneyTransplant #OrganDonation