Thomas Kelly is my brother, and in March we all found out that he is very sick with an autoimmune disease that has caused both his kidneys to stop functioning. He has been on dialysis since his first hospital visit in March, and now he does his dialysis treatments at home every night. He's been a real trooper through everything, being tested for so many different things. Ultimately, what Thomas needs is a kidney transplant so that he can get back to living life, working, and feeling good again.
When we found out Thomas had this disease, it was too late for any sort of treatment to slow down the progression of the disease and Thomas was suddenly in kidney failure. Since then, we have had to learn a whole lot about his disease, dialysis, the kidneys, the transplant process, and also the financial aspect of all of this. Thomas has a great nephrologist, an awesome nursing staff at his dialysis center, and a whole lot of people who love and care about him.
Since the first of June, Mama and I have been testing for possible kidney donation. Unfortunately, although we both match Thomas' blood and tissue type, neither of us are candidates for donation. We were both devastated by that news, but we have to keep moving forward. We know that above all, God has a plan and purpose for Thomas and for our family...heck, even our business. We have seen and felt God working through all of this...healthcare professionals, you have no idea how mightily God uses you! We have had some of the best nurses and staff pray with us and for us.
Thomas will be on a waiting list for a kidney at 5 different transplant centers across the Southeast. We've been to Knoxville, Augusta, and Charlotte already to start the process, and in the next two months we will be heading to Jacksonville and Charleston also. This will increase his chances of getting a matching kidney and hopefully reduce the amount of time he will have to wait. But it the wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor with his blood type is 3-5 years (that's in Tennessee, North Carolina, & South Carolina). The wait time in Florida is about 4-6 years, and in Georgia it's 7-10 years! This is why we're being so proactive. We just don't want Thomas to have to wait that long.
So many of our friends and family have asked what they can do to help. Until now, prayers are the only thing we could ask for. We still need those! But there is something else you can do! If you would like to consider being tested for living donation, please let us know! You don't have to be related to Thomas. Often, a random stranger or friend can be a great match and donate. There are a few guidelines to kidney donation: you must be at least 18 years old, you must not have had kidney stones or other kidney-related issues, and you must not be on more than one medication to control high blood pressure. There are some other things that have to work out, but those are the basics. If you know your blood type, that's great! but you certainly don't have to. That's something they will test for if you'd like to be tested. The first tests are quite simple: after you contact the transplant donor nurse (info listed below for the Augusta University center), they will send you some papers to fill out (or you can do that online here (
https://www.augustahealth.org/kidney-and-pancreas-transplant/kidney-donor-form)), you'll get a kit in the mail to take to your local hospital or lab, they draw a few vials of blood and send it back to AU's transplant team for testing. After that, you'll find out if you match or not, and that's when they would either go forward with testing or not. All testing and all costs of the actual transplant surgery are paid for by Thomas' healthcare plan. The only financial cost to a donor is transportation for testing. There are even allowances to help donors with time missed from work for surgery. It's a big deal to donate an organ to someone...it's certainly nothing our family takes lightly. But you would be giving someone a life. I would encourage you to pray about this decision and discuss it with your family.
If you want to help, but can't donate or don't feel comfortable with the idea of donating, please pray for Thomas. Pray for God's healing; pray for Thomas to stay healthy and well until he can get a kidney; pray for God's hand in finding a donor; pray for the life of that donor and for them to know God; pray for strength in Thomas and our family; pray for God's wisdom with his doctors and nurses; pray for us as we travel to all these transplant centers; pray for Thomas' future and the plans God has for it. We are a family who loves the Lord and believes in the power of prayer!
I will continue to post updates with Thomas and the progress we make in his transplant journey. Thank you, friends, and feel free to share Thomas' story...the person you send this to may be the donor we are praying for!
Sarah-Ann
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TESTED:
- Please contact the Living Donor Coordinator at August University's Kidney Transplant Center
- Shelby Adams
- shadams1@augusta.edu
- 706-721-8560
-Just let Shelby know that you're contacting her in regards to Thomas Kelly.
- You can also fill out an online screening form at augustahealth.org/transplant
If you don't live near Augusta and would like to be tested, that's okay also! If you live closer to Charleston, Charlotte, Jacksonville, or Knoxville, I will be glad to send you the living donor information for that transplant center. Just send me a message! Thanks!
