Raising awareness and funds for live kidney donations is local organization Kidney Solutions. The organization invited the community to their annual FunD Walk, where locals can learn more about the live-donation process, sign up to be an organ donor, as well as support patients waiting for a kidney transplant and their donors.
Founded by kidney recipient Kent Bressler in 2018, the Texas-based organization is dedicated to providing guidance for patients throughout their kidney transplant journeys.
“This is the third annual FunD Walk to raise awareness for live donation, though it feels like it might be the 30th for me. My brother gave me a kidney 39 years ago, so I can tell you I’m living proof that transplants work,” said Bressler.
Bressler’s own experience with live-donation inspired his advocacy for other transplant donors and recipients. After taking on its first patient, Hill Country local Lori Davis, Kidney Solutions has expanded its services to provide education, counseling, and financial support to Texas donors and recipients.
“We work every transplant program that we can put our hands on. If someone wants to become a living donor, we’re able to help you financially get that done. We’re not gonna give you a check, but we do take care of all the medical expenses,” said Bressler.
One of the transplant programs in attendance was Texas Transplant Network, a new local program founded by Ryan and Kim Pendergraft aimed at relieving financial barriers to live-donation in Texas.
“Kim and I established Texas Transplant Network and what we’ll be doing is raising money to offset expenses incurred by living donors. The biggest reason people won’t donate is not fear or anxiety of the surgery – it’s because they can’t afford to do it. We decided we’re going to be the people that make that go away,” said Ryan Pendergraft.
Ryan is a transplant recipient with a history of multiple kidney transplants throughout his life due to genetic issues and multiple battles with cancer –spending over two years on dialysis without kidneys entirely. As of 2022, Ryan has been living with a kidney from his living-donor and close friend, Brad Freeland.
“Our goal is to make the wait times go away. In Texas, there’s 9,000 people who need a kidney, and there’s way more nationwide. But we’re starting local and going to be working with Methodist Transplant Hospital. I’m waiting on the IRS to give me my 501(c)3 approval, but everything is ready to go. Once approved, we’re going to hit the ground running and work with Kent and the gang over at Kidney Solutions,” said Pendergraft.
With Kidney Solutions offering all of their counseling, programming, and services completely free-of-charge, the organization relies upon local donations heavily. The FunD Walk is how community sponsors can support Kidney Solutions’ mission and help spread awareness of local live donors.
“Today’s walk honors two people: Autumn Risner and Terry Jacoby. Autumn met Terry in one of her classes at church and started talking about his need for a kidney. Autumn came to work the next day and said, ‘I think I want to donate my kidney to Terry.’ In 2005, she was a living donor to Terry,” said Bressler.
Risner’s decision for live-donation took Jacoby off of the transplant list and into the operating room, the surgeries being successful for both parties.
“Living donation is different, but it’s just as important. In fact, it’s really important. Autumn donated one of her kidneys as a living donor to Terry. Unfortunately Terry died 11 years later from brain cancer, but he spent that 11 years with his family,” said Bressler.
To find locals in search of living donors, or for more information to support Kidney Solutions’ efforts,visit www.kidneysolutions.org.