Happy New Year from Marlon, Cali and Camilla. Wherever this finds you, I hope you and your circle of loved ones are well. Like, really well, Joyful, abundant, dancing like no one’s watching-well. I hope 2021 brought you more up’s than down’s, more sweet than sour, and the gift of opportunity to explore new ways of being during what was for all of us most a difficult year. 

CONTEXT: In this new year health is at the top of my mind and I am writing this note to share my journey and to ask for help from you, my beloved community. At the end of 2021 I was diagnosed with late stage kidney disease. In a few months, I will begin daily dialysis treatment to help my body continue to function while I pursue a kidney transplant. Because the average wait time for a donor from the official list can be 5 or more years (for the >100,000 folks like me on the waiting list), I am asking for YOUR help to find a living volunteer donor for the life saving gift of a new kidney for me and our family. 

REQUEST: If being a living kidney donor is something you or someone you know would at all consider, I would greatly and gratefully appreciate it. We are looking for folks with blood type O to register and start the evaluation process using the link below. 

Go To: https://cornell.donorscreen.org/register/now to register using my patient information (Marlon Williams, birthday June 14th, 1981).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

CONNECT: This is a difficult and humbling request to make. I have thoughts. I have feels. So many feels. 

Amid all of this my greatest desire is for deeper connection. I live with this condition every day, but we also don’t have to talk about it. We can share long, warm hugs, groove together on the socially-distanced dancefloor, discuss the intricacies of dismantling the white patriarchy, or any other meaningful moments of connection. Please use this forum to offer words of encouragement or reach out to me to set up times to chat. Continued meaningful connection fuels my resolve in this time. 

SHARE: I would deeply appreciate it if you would share my story and help me spread awareness of kidney disease and living donation. Please help me manifest this. You can also learn more about me and my work at www.marlonhwilliams.com.

REGISTER: If being a living kidney donor is something you or someone you know would at all consider, please register to check potential compatibility. My blood type is O+ which means I need to find someone with the O blood type. If this is you or someone you know who is willing to consider being a donor they can sign up to receive more information and check compatibility at the website below. 

https://cornell.donorscreen.org/register/now 

INFO FOR POTENTIAL DONORS: 

I know that surgery and living with one kidney is a daunting prospect. I’m happy to share more about how to be evaluated, how this evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance, what the 2-week recuperation could look like, and how living with one kidney can allow a long and healthy life. It’s important to me that anyone considering this has THEIR best interests prioritised.

FAQs

• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.

• 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.

GRATITUDE: This experience is teaching me to find boundless gratitude, deep resilience and true wonder in everyday pleasures. Being able to fully inhabit my body again, to have the gift of life, to keep showing up for those I love, to dance the hours away with all of you, to watch Camilla grow up… I can’t describe what it would mean to me. Please help, by connecting, sharing or registering as a donor. 

With a full and grateful heart,

Marlon