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Johnny was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) at the age of 39.
It is a genetic disorder, characterized by the growth of numerous, benign cysts that form inside the kidneys and over time, become so large, the kidneys are unable to filter or function properly without going on dialysis.
Over the last several years, his health has slowly declined, and his kidneys are functioning around 15%, and with the diagnosis of PKD, it will continue to decline. The disease causes other health issues and conditions that he battles with on a daily basis.
There is no cure for PKD, and eventually Johnny will have to go on dialysis without a donor. With a kidney transplant it can extend Johnny’s life and improve his health tremendously and he can regain a healthy, functioning body and continue to live his life healthy again. A transplant would give him his life back along with some normalcy and enjoy doing all the things he loves. He still attempts daily joy by doing those things such as fishing, hunting, gardening, meals on wheels and the like.
Despite this disease, Johnny has remained strong physically and his faith has remained strong as well. He is a man that has tackled this with courage and a positive attitude and on somedays it has been a struggle with not feeling like there is much hope, but with faith in God he continues to help others despite his condition. With God and his family by his side, we know that there is a donor.
There are many costs not covered by insurance as well as lifelong expenses related to transplant (follow up care, prescriptions, etc.). Johnny’s family has partnered with COTA to help raise funds in Johnny’s honor to assist with transplant-related expenses.
Thank you so much for your love, your support and especially your prayers as we continue to head down this journey with Johnny.
The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.